In May 2024, the Cabinet agreed the Strategy for Commissioned Domiciliary Care in Monmouthshire 2024-2034 and an implementation plan including the procurement of block contracts and a spot purchasing system.
The strategy has three objectives:
- Provide sustainable high quality domiciliary care to those with an assessed need within Monmouthshire.
- Maximise the cost effectiveness of the care purchased, with less diversity of cost between providers.
- Improve and standardise terms and conditions for the domiciliary care workforce, supporting workforce stability within providers.
Monmouthshire County Council has recently completed a tendering process for block contracts for home care services in the southern part of the county: Chepstow and surrounding rural areas, Caldicot, Portskewett, Sudbrook, Magor, Undy, Rogiet and The Levels. This means that the successful providers will have guaranteed hours in a specific locality.
The tender was conducted to ensure secure and stable arrangements for residents in the long term and ensure the delivery of quality care and support.
We have established new contracts with three highly experienced providers, all of whom currently deliver care and support to our residents in the county.
The council always follows well-established legal processes for tendering new contracts in line with procurement regulations and guidance.
Residents can be assured that the council has plans to minimise disruption during a three-month transition period. This includes working with current and new providers to ensure staff who are eligible and wish to transfer to the new provider (under TUPE) are supported to do so, thereby ensuring the continuity of care wherever possible.
The council is committed to supporting sustainability and choice within the provider landscape. By working with fewer providers in specific geographic areas across the county, we can ensure more stable care for residents, allowing for more integrated partnerships to support individuals and will also be more environmentally friendly.
Below are some frequently asked questions about the changes.
Q. Why is this change happening?
In 2024, the council developed a strategy for Commissioned Domiciliary Care in Monmouthshire (2024-2034).
The strategy sets out a plan for purchasing and delivering domiciliary care over the next 10 years, allowing us to improve the service for people who receive care and the staff who deliver the care.
Under procurement law, the council has an obligation to re-tender the contracts it has with Domiciliary Care & Support Providers. The new contracts awarded will be organised into geographical areas, with one Domiciliary Care and Support Provider covering each area. This is why your provider may have changed.
Q. Can people stay with their current provider and what are their options if they don’t want to transfer to a new Domiciliary Care Support Provider?
If individuals whose care is changing wish for the council to continue purchasing care on their behalf, they will need to transition to a new Domiciliary Care and Support Provider. Their care will transfer to the new Domiciliary Care and Support Provider in early July 2025 (exact date to be confirmed).
However, if those whose care is changing want to remain with their current Domiciliary Care and Support Provider, they may be able to arrange to pay privately and purchase their own care or may wish to consider requesting a Direct Payment from the council.
Q. Will my current care staff change?
When a person’s care is transferred to a new Domiciliary Care and Support Provider, their current care staff may also be eligible to transfer their employment. If this is the case, the new Domiciliary Care and Support Provider will want to keep the same carers working with the same people where possible to ensure continuity and to minimise the need for change.
Some staff may choose to work in a different area to remain with their current employer. If this happens, care staff may need to change. However, we want to reassure you that all care staff are registered with Social Care Wales and receive the same training and development opportunities. All our domiciliary care provider partners are required to deliver services of a high standard, and while it may take some time to settle into the change, the new carers will want to build trusting relationships and provide good quality care and support services.
The transition and implementation planning that is about to take place between the existing and new providers will establish which carers will be transferring to the new agencies. This will then enable the new providers to confirm to individuals if their carer will be the same person or if it will be someone new. This information will be made available as soon as all the details have been worked through.
Q. Will the level of my care and support change?
There will be no change to people’s Care and Support Plans. The number of hours of care people receive will not change unless their care and support needs are reviewed.
Q. Will my call times change
As part of the transfer plan, the new Domiciliary Care and Support Providers will contact people to discuss how to maintain their service. All Domiciliary Care and Support Providers will try to honour existing arrangements where possible.
Q. Will the amount I pay for my care change?
The amount you pay for your care and support will not change. Your assessed charge is not affected by the change in your Domiciliary Care and Support Provider.
Q. When will this change be happening?
Everyone affected by these changes will be contacted individually to inform them when their care will be transferred to the new Domiciliary Care and Support Provider. We anticipate the transfer will happen by early July 2025. However, this may be subject to change and we will keep all those affected informed and we will update this page accordingly.
Q. What happens next?
Over the next three months, the council will work with the existing and new providers to oversee the transfer of all the care and support services.
The new care and support provider will contact everyone whose care is being transferred to introduce themselves and tell them about the organisation and the service they will provide. They will arrange to speak to people and visit them if preferred to discuss their care and support needs.
Q. What if I currently receive care and need to talk to someone?
You can contact your social work team to discuss any concerns about your care and support or about the process described above:
- Chepstow Integrated Team: chepstowltadmin@monmouthshire.gov.uk / 01291 636531
- Mental Health Team: mentalhealthadmin2@monmouthshire.gov.uk / 01873 735455
- Community Learning Disability Team: cldtadmin@monmouthshire.gov.uk / 01873 735455