Decision details

East Sussex County Council currently supports adults with Care Act eligible needs via a contract with a third-party provider; however, there is an imminent risk of provider failure.

Given the nature of the service, any break in provision and service continuity would place adults at risk, increase delayed hospital discharges and result in increased ambulance conveyance and hospital admissions.

It is therefore essential that the Council make arrangements for alternative service provision (if required) to ensure continuity of service for a significant cohort of vulnerable adults.

Appointment of an alternative service provider has been approved following confirmation by an existing provider that they can no longer deliver the required services.

Consideration has been given at a national level to provide additional financial assistance to the provider however this was deemed to be unviable.

Consideration has been given to bringing the service in-house. This was rejected on the grounds that there was insufficient capacity and expertise to establish an in-house service.

The preferred option would enable uninterrupted service provision by a provider with the knowledge and expertise required to ensure safe transition and subsequent service delivery.