Support for care providers

The adult social care market in Central Bedfordshire is complex, fragmented and under pressure. Whilst a concern, the sustainability of the market particularly for the Care Homes, is being planned for.  The Council is considering alternative delivery models and investment to maintain its access to care and support for its residents in care homes.

We are continuing the work with care providers to address any issues identified through this challenging period.  

The Council has given a 5% fee uplift to all providers and guaranteed minimum payments for the first three months of 2020/21 and will be reviewing this position towards the end of June. In addition, further resilience payments have been made in April and May. The Council also took a decision to purchase and distribute Type IIR masks at no cost to the providers to ensure they have timely access to appropriate PPE to undertake their care and support responsibilities. We have given financial support to Care Homes and Domiciliary Care providers where a contract is in place and are providing care and support to residents in Central Bedfordshire. This ensures support to providers irrespective of whether their customers are self-funders or publicly funded.

As per the Infection Control grant conditions, the Council will be making payments to Care Homes in two instalments based on a ‘per bed basis’ using 75% of the grant. Payment will be based on the operational capacity less the void levels before the start of the pandemic. This was discussed and agreed with the Bedfordshire Care Association and Care Home providers and was felt to be a fairer distribution of the funds. Whilst the grant funding is welcomed, feedback from Care Providers and our Care Association was that Grant conditions were restrictive and limits local determination to target resources where most needed

The remaining element will be passed to Home Care and Supported Living providers (20%) in two payments based on their customer numbers with the final 5% being held as a contingency fund for any unforeseen costs that providers have had to meet.

The table below sets out the financial support of the resilience payments, PPE mask distribution and proposed distribution of the Infection Control Grant.

*Total spent means funding or support has already reached providers.