Provider Placement Database

Project Objectives and Scope

There is a need for local authorities to have better information on residential care services provided for people with learning disabilities, the cost and availability of those services, and other options that might be more appropriate and offer better value for money such as new service developments around supported living and adult placement services.

This project supports the development, population and roll-out of a database to local authorities in the South West. The database will comprise two linked datasets. One dataset scopes supply and another which identifies patterns of use in placements, i.e. demand.

Both datasets will be concerned with care provision for people with learning disabilities, including registered Residential Care, Adult Placement Schemes and Supported Living placements.

Anticipated gains from the project

Benefits anticipated to be achieved include:

• Care Managers will spend less time searching for suitable accommodation and be able to find better options for individuals. This is expected to also have a direct impact on budgets through reduced moves/changes etc.
• There will be increased transparency in the provider marketplace. The database will
  • Highlight providers that offer good quality care as identified by the placing authority,
  • Allow better co-ordinated commissioning within and between local authorities.
• Care Managers will be more fully informed of the alternatives to residential provision.
• Brokerage mechanisms can be developed to help individuals look at alternatives to residential provision.
• Outcomes will be monitored to ensure that agreements safeguard quality.
• The region will be better informed and therefore able to formulate an effective and meaningful regional and sub-regional approach to problems such as ‘Out of Authority’ placements.

On the basis of a £68 per placement saving, assuming 3 placements made per month per authority (based on pilot phase returns) a modest £36,000 pa non-cashable saving will be made across the region.

On the basis of this saving alone, the project would pay for itself in approximately 3½ years. However there are other savings expected to be generated by this project through improved initial placements and the potential for collaborative commissioning. The 3½ year estimate is therefore very conservative.

Wider implications and anticipated gains if it were successfully rolled out:

This is a project that is jointly supported by Local Authorities in the South West who already have a common interest in its outcomes and benefits. The project is likely to be of wider interest and has already attracted attention nationally from the Department of Health Valuing People Team and the Care Services Improvement Partnership.