Care Home Services Framework for Older People and Mental Health Patients in Cardiff

Cardiff Council Adult Services is establishing a new Light Touch Services Framework to commission care home services for older people and those with mental health needs in Cardiff. The framework will operate on the following key principles: (1) All placements must be made through the approved framework except in clearly defined exceptional circumstances, ensuring consistent decision-making and cost control through set rates. (2) Providers must offer first refusal on vacant placements to the council. (3) Quality standards will be a mandatory entry requirement with ongoing performance monitoring. (4) Fixed and transparent pricing will be implemented with standardized fee levels for each care category to replace current variable market-driven pricing. (5) Service users will have maximum choice from all suitable framework placements with support provided for decision-making, and can continue with existing providers where needs remain appropriate. (6) The framework will operate city-wide rather than by locality to maximize choice and placement availability. (7) The council will work in partnership with providers to support market sustainability and encourage growth where demand is increasing. The framework is structured around four care category lots: General Residential, Dementia Residential, General Nursing, and Dementia Nursing, each with four subcategories covering permanent, temporary, emergency, and respite (planned and unplanned) placements.