Council asked to back one person's £10m care plan

A council has been asked to approve a contract worth £10.92m for the care of a young person with "complex needs".

A Peterborough City Council report is recommending its cabinet should award the contract for the "bespoke placement" to Action for Children.

It would cover seven years of care, costing £1.56m a year. The council and the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board would pay 50% each.

"The high costs arise from the complex needs and specialised care required," said Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services.

"Occasionally young adults need continuous, intensive support, including supervision from specially trained staff or multiple carers to ensure their safety and meet their needs 24/7."

Care would be delivered to the young person either in a care home or supported living accommodation, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Splitting the costs with the NHS means the local authority would pay £780,000 per year across the up-to-seven-year contract term, or £5.46m in total.

If approved, the contract would start on 24 June and run until 23 June 2032.

The report noted the young person would be turning 18 during the contract, meaning they would be supported by adult services, and the accommodation would be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Council and NHS officials were in discussions with the CQC about the suitability of registration of the accommodation under either supported living or care home status, it added.

Cole said: "This is a joint funding arrangement with the NHS and we take our responsibilities to supporting and protecting the most vulnerable in or community seriously."

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