Flexible Purchasing Arrangements for Social Care Support

Over recent years, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) has been adapting the way in which people access support that meets their needs whilst promoting and maintaining their independence. We recognise that closer engagement with communities, families, carers and the people we support is required: focussing on the assets and strengths that people and their communities already have; to transform the way we all collaborate, maximising the opportunity for people to live independent lives and achieve their full potential. Connecting people with their communities is a key objective of maximising independence, and with access to health and social care support when needed can improve health and wellbeing and support people to become more resilient.

Self Directed Support (SDS) is a co-production and supportive process involving good conversations with people needing support. SDS, alongside other legislation and policies, is intended to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, and aims to ensure that care and support is delivered in a way that supports choice and control over one's own life and which respects the person's right to participate in society.

SDS applies to supported persons across all ages, including unpaid carers and children ensuring:

- Disabled people have the same freedom and choices as others.

- People get the support they want, where and when they want it.

- People can get support at the right time, before a crisis or emergency happens.

Glasgow City Council’s (GCC) statutory duty to assess care needs and establish eligibility for social care services, the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 placed duties on Local Authorities to provide 4 Options for arranging social care support and making them available to eligible individuals.

The Flexible Purchasing Framework for social care supports will be the mechanism through which the Council discharges its duties for SDS Options 2, 3, and aspects of option 4.

In all instances Providers will be required to develop and deliver a plan that is within a individual's available budget and that meets the outcomes identified within their individual plan.

The Contract will be based on care groups to deliver support to people:

- Children and Families – from birth up to their 19th birthday - this only includes children with disabilities

- Mental Health – this is inclusive of people under sixty five [65] years old with mental health and/or related conditions including Huntington’s and autism.

- Physical Disabilities – this is inclusive of people under sixty five [65] years old with a physical disability

- Learning Disabilities – this is inclusive of people under sixty five [65] years old with autistic spectrum disorders and/or a learning disability

- Older People – this is inclusive of people over sixty five [65] years old and under sixty five [65] with early onset dementia

The contract may also include an additional requirement for when the Council determines needs cannot be met under one of Care Groups above.

Bidders will be invited to submit their pricing schedule of the services they are able to offer to help the Council achieve its aims and objectives to help people to live as independent life as possible and to deliver on its statutory duties. This could include:

1. Care and Support Services

2. Day Opportunities/Employability Supports

3. Short Breaks including Respite Services

4. Any additional supports offered by Bidders

Bidders will also be able to, and are encouraged to, deliver Technology Enabled Care support options.

GCHSCP concluded a review of the access to social work services in 2024 to ensure our approach is fair and equitable for those eligible for services. The GCHSCP eligibility criteria will focus on those with substantial and critical need. Further information on access to social care can be found here:https://glasgow.gov.uk/socialcare