Expression of Interest - Fair Cost of Care exercise

In December 2021, the Government announced funding for the Adult Social Care market to support sustainability and for local authorities' to move towards paying providers a fair rate of care. As a condition of receiving this grant funding, in the 2 following years (2023/24-2024/25), local authorities will need to submit to the Department of Health and Social Care ("DHSC") a cost of care exercise, a provisional market sustainability plan and a spend report detailing how the 2022/23 funding has been allocated in line with government expectations, in order to achieve a more sustainable local market, by September 2022.

On this basis, it is proposed that Doncaster Council seeks to engage an external independent resource to undertake the Fair Cost of Care exercise for 65+ residential and nursing care homes and 18+ homecare to determine a sustainable fee rate for different care settings from 23/24 and provisional market sustainability plan, within the Council's defined framework. Doncaster Council expect the independent resource to use the regionally produced homecare toolkit provided by LGA & ADASS in partnership with ARCC and the care home toolkit that is expected to be provided to local authorities by early April 2022. It is anticipated that the independent resource will be required to engage with providers, support them to undertake the exercise, and make the submission to the Council. The independent resource will also be expected to analyse the response, provide a draft report and overall submission to the Doncaster DASS for scrutiny and review ahead of any regional or national submission. Clear timelines and expectations will be provided for completion and the independent resource will act as a facilitator and analyst to ensure completion by the required timeline. It is anticipated that the independent resource will be able to submit the Fair Cost of Care for Homecare in May 2022 for regional moderation and the Fair Cost of Care for Care Homes at the end of June 2022 although these timescales are currently in discussion across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Any interested parties should provide a written submission outlining: • Their experience and skills in delivering a Fair Cost of Care exercise • A detailed project plan of the work to be undertaken in line with the above proposal • A costed breakdown of the fees to deliver both the Fair Cost of Care exercise and the market sustainability plan Further clarification is available by contacting Kathryn Anderson-Bratt by email [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Friday 8th April 2022