The 2009-2010 Social Care PFI round will move up a gear this Autumn when successful authorities will be allocated their PFI credits. If you are a Contractor considering bidding for work in the 2009-10 round then it is worth reminding yourself of the process and issues involved.
Authorities involved in the 2009-2010 round of Social Care PFI credits are preparing Expressions of Interest, for which the scheduled submission date is 30th November 2009. Allowing a period for evaluation, the round is expected to complete in March 2010, when a list of the successful authorities will be posted.
PFI credits are the measure of the capital value of the project that the government will support, and in the 2009-2010 round of bidding there is £250 million worth of PFI credits up for grabs. Within adult social care, PFI credits can be used in schemes providing care to physically or mentally disabled adults and elderly people (which may include Extra Care Housing). The schemes may be residential (eg, elderly dementia care), day care, or community support. Many authorities actively partner with local Primary Care Trusts, and a significant number of social care projects involve co-operation with PCT's, either via PFI or LIFT.
The Social Care Sector is closely aligned with several government departments, and while there is relatively small amount of 'pure' Social Care funding available, depending on the nature of the scheme there can be overlap between funding from the Department of Health, Department of Schools, Children and Families, Department of Culture Media and Sport, Department for Communities and Local Government.
The criteria for bidders in attracting PFI credits are; Social Inclusion, Joint Planning/ Working (many social care projects involve joint service delivery with the NHS), Innovation, Long term Flexibility, and Compliance with DH policies on client groups.
All bids for PFI credits must have the bid approved in principle by DH social services Minister and HM Treasury (Project Review Group) at Outline Business Case stage. Treasury approval case review work is carried out by PUK. LIFT-based procurements must also obtain Stage 1 approval. Most schemes will have 'second stage review' by the Project Review Group prior to appointment of the Preferred Bidder. Final Business Case approval is handled in the Department of Health (Treasury approval is not necessary at this stage). All social care PFI credit schemes receive support from 4ps who publish a Social Care procurement pack (find at http://tinyurl.com/ksl686 ).
In the majority Social Care projects are being financed through Housing and Lift, with a push towards joint and collaborative projects. In 20 years time the government expects that there will be £1.7 million more people needing care and support than there are now (Shaping the Future of Care Together Green Paper, 14 July 2009) combined with rising costs and public demands for better quality care, this means that an increased source of Social Care funding will need to be found.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
