Service Unit Strategy Directorate
Project title SW Regional Coordinator for Promoting Independence and Early Intervention in Adult Social Care
Background information
Budget
365
Project Manager Jan Thurgood
Funding is entirely from the South West Joint Improvement Programme for Adult Social Services
The South West Regional Joint Improvement Partnership for Adult Social Services has been awarded this grant money funded by the Joint Improvement Programme South West Social Services / RIEP for the appointment of a South West Regional Coordinator for Promoting Independence and Early Intervention in Adult Social Care which will support all 15 local authorities and the 14 PCT's to improve outcomes.
The money has been awarded for 2008/09 and 2009/10 and progress urgently needs to be made and the agreed programme of work delivered.
Jan Thurgood is the lead Director for the Social Services Joint Improvement Programme in the South West on Early Intervention Prevention. In this capacity she has assumed responsibility for this appointment.
The appointment was advertised in January 2009 to all South West local authorities as a secondment opportunity for up to two years. There was a very low response to the advertisement with only one person employed by a local authority making an application.
Two external contractors with relevant skills and experience also expressed an interest in the opportunity having attained information regarding the vacancy from contacts with local authorities within the South West. One of the two external contractors withdrew prior to interview.
The one contractor and one seconded candidate were interviewed for the post. Gleake Consultancy has been identified as having the most appropriate skills and experience for the post.
Nationally there is great difficulty in recruiting appropriately skilled and experienced staff to senior roles in Adult Social Services. The only alternative way to find someone with appropriate skills would be via a specialist agency. This would cost considerably more and therefore not represent best value for money.
A negotiated rate of £460 per day plus 15% expenses for 90 days over 6 months has been agreed with Gleake Consultancy and would appear reasonable.
Proposal for approval
The negotiated total cost of £47,610 for Gleake Consultancy to provide 90 days' work is considered to represent value for money. The daily rate of £460.00 plus 15% expenses has been discussed with the Secretary and Chairman of the regional ADASS and the DOH Social Care Lead for the South West whose view is that this is a highly competitive rate in the current market and the work needs to be progressed urgently.
In addition, recently market testing has taken place at the Borough of Poole for other similar senior Adult Social Services posts. Expressions of interest were invited from recruitment agencies and external individuals. Costs ranged from £500 to £ 850 per day excluding agency fees where appropriate plus expenses. It is therefore considered that this proposed appointment of Gleake Consultancy at
£460 per day plus 15% expenses for 90 days work over 6 months represents value for money.
The contractor proposed by Gleake Consultancy was interviewed, along with one other contractor and one secondment applicant at the initial selection process and is considered to be a suitable candidate to assist the South West ADASS in this function.
Reason(s) for not tendering
A tender process was not followed as it was initially anticipated that a secondment opportunity would be appropriate. However, the response from candidates from South West local authorities was low and there were no suitable applicants.
It is essential for an appointment to be made at the earliest opportunity as funding is currently only allocated until March 2010.
and exception sought ( See Standing Orders for full text )
Approval is sought to waive the requirement for competitive tendering under Standing Order 23 by applying the following exception referred to in Standing Order 24 summarised as follows:
o a) Negotiated tender with existing contractor. In addition to initial approval by Head of Service Unit and Head of Financial Services, approval by the Portfolio Holder or Cabinet is required. (Please return this form to Legal and Democratic Services to obtain approval by the Portfolio Holder or Cabinet)
b)Supply of goods/materials/services if:
(i) sold only at fixed price;
(ii) prices controlled by trade organisations or government order;
(Hi) limited number of contractors but reasonable number of these invited to submit tenders;
(iv) set up by other organisations ( contracting procedures equivalent to Borough of Poole ).
Requires approval from Head of Service Unit and Head of Financial Services
r-::r:) Unforeseeable and required urgently. Requires approval of Portfolio Holder or Cabinet after L..!J approval is sought from Head of Service Unit and Head of Financial Services (Please return the form to Legal and Democratic Services to obtain approval by the Portfolio Holder or Cabinet).
d) Repairs, supply of parts or updates for existing machinery, computers etc. Requires approval from Head of Service Unit and Head of Financial Services.
e) Original estimate less than £25,000. ( Quotation procedure followed. ) Requires approval from Head of Service Unit and Head of Financial Services.
Approval
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Head of Financial Services ...... ±Y\!..~ ...... Date ..~./:t/..99 .
Cabinet I Portfolio Holder (only under 24a and 24c) ......
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