People who need care need high quality and consistent care. But this doesn’t always happen. The providers who deliver the care sometimes fail. Maybe it’s a managerial failure or a market failure or some combination of factors. Whatever the cause, this leaves vulnerable people – sometimes suddenly – even more vulnerable.
During the process of failure or after they have failed, local authorities will need to ensure that people get the care they need until new arrangements can be made.
In just a few days time part I of the Care Act will be in force. Local authorities will then have new duties and powers to ensure continuity of care in the event of service interruption due to the failure of a care provider. LGiU is working with the DH, ADASS, LGA joint Care and Support Reform Programme to produce guidance to support councils to develop and put in place contingency plans so they are ready for such an eventuality.
The LGiU, with ADASS and the Department of Health, will be working with practitioners, providers and service user representatives to design guidance and a toolkit to help councils develop contingency plans that can be rapidly put in place to safeguard and ensure high quality care.
As part of this project, we will be getting the views of those responsible for ensuring continuity of care and working with providers. We’re also seeking to set up a virtual reference group to help shape the product and the learning.
In particular, we would like to hear from:
- those who have developed contingency plans in their local authorities
- those who have experience of dealing with provider failure – in either residential or home care
- those who feel that their market is precarious and would like to pilot the toolkit
If you would like to be involved, or kept informed, of the project please give us your details below.
