Data related to review of Learning Disability Contracts and Scrutiny of High Cost Placements Initiative

Dear Birmingham City Council,

Birmingham City Council is undertaking a review of Learning
Disability Residential Care provision for service users/residents
funded by Birmingham City Council/Birmingham City Council Social
Services. In correspondence from the Council to providers dated
from August 2009 providers were informed that the purpose of the
review is to a) review the current contract b) to scrutinise high
cost placements. The project is
lead managed by Mr Simon Fenton.

Please under Freedom of Information Act requirements provide the
following information

1. A list of (by name) all 85 providers that are being reviewed
under this initiative

2. The number of placements being reviewed by the Joint
Commissioning Team at each of the 85 providers (on a provider by
provider basis)

3. The annual/weekly value (In Sterling Pounds) of each of the
placements being reviewed at each of the 85 providers (on a
provider by provider basis).

4. The annualised value of price reductions initially proposed
(this proposal would have been made after a care management review
and after the care management review has informed the care funding
calculator) by the joint commissioning team to each provider for
each of the placements with them being reviewed (on a provider by
provider basis on an i)absolute and ii)percentage basis).

5. Where agreement has been reached with a Provider, on a Provider
by Provider basis, the annual/weekly value of price reductions
formally agreed (after negotiation – where negotiation was
necessary or otherwise) for each placement reviewed on an
i)absolute and ii)percentage basis for each placement.

6. Where agreement has not been reached as at 13 January 2010, but
negotiations are ongoing, the reasons that the provider has not
agreed with the Joint Commissioning Teams assessment of the cost of
the placement (on a provider by provider basis for each placement
reviewed at that provider).

7. On how many occasions, and to which providers (provider by
provider for each placement under review with that provider) has
the Joint Commissioning Team informed the provider that if they do
not agree to the price reductions proposed they may consider moving
residents from the home (or words to the same effect)

8. On how many occasions, and with which providers (provider by
provider for each placement under review with that provider) has
the Joint Commissioning Team informed the provider that if they do
not agree to the price reductions proposed a) the provider is
welcome to inform the Joint Commissioning Team that it cannot
provide the service (or words to the same effect)

9. A copy of the contract and the pricing framework that you are
asking providers with spot contracts above the threshold of £1149
to enter into as part of or following your reviews of the highest
cost residential care placements of adults with learning
disabilities

10. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Caretech to discuss and negotiate costings
and care requirements as part of the work to review highest cost
residential care placements

11. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Autism West Midlands to discuss and
negotiate costings and care requirements as part of the work to
review highest cost residential care placements

12. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Jaffray Care to discuss and negotiate
costings and care requirements as part of the work to review
highest cost residential care placements

13. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Robinia Care to discuss and negotiate
costings and care requirements as part of the work to review
highest cost residential care placements

14. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Craegmoor to discuss and negotiate costings
and care requirements as part of the work to review highest cost
residential care placements

15. Could you please provide full copies (only if required by law
should parts of these minutes be blacked out) your minutes and
notes of meetings with Voyage to discuss and negotiate costings and
care requirements as part of the work to review highest cost
residential care placements

16. a) Could you please provide a list of providers with whom
communication (written or verbal) has taken place to discuss that
providers’ ability and/or willingness to provide residential care
to service users that the Joint Commissioning Team (JCT) may move
from another provider as part of the review of the highest cost
residential care placements for whatever reason.

b) Please provide minutes and notes of all communications at 16 a)
above

Yours faithfully,

C Davide