Commissioning strategy and intentions

Fair Cost of Care and Market Sustainability

In December 2021, the government announced their intentions to reform social care which included a requirement for Local Authorities to:

• undertake a Fair Cost of Care exercise
• complete a Market Sustainability Plan

The exercise required Local Authorities to survey and engage with over 65's Care Homes (both residential and nursing) and 18+ Home Care providers to better understand the costs of delivering care across West Northamptonshire. The Government confirmed that “Fair” meant the median cost of delivering care.

The Government also required us to complete a report which outlines the current position of the care market, sustainability issues and plans to address them.

We have completed both of these requirements and has published the outcome, including the supporting documentation:

Care Homes

Following the Fair Cost of Care and Market Sustainability exercise, we recommissioned a new Care Home Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) in 2023. The Framework supports those with physical disabilities, mental health needs, complex or palliative care needs, dementia and frailty. 

With a growing population of residents with complex and/or nursing needs, we will be working with Integrated Care Board colleagues over the next few years to support an increase in nursing home provision within West Northamptonshire.  

Home Care

The Local Area Partnership (LAP) model, introduced as part of the new Home Care framework in 2023, supports user choice and a more localised approach to home care provision. As we seek to support individuals at home for longer, the Strategic Commissioning Team will be working with their partner providers and the market to develop complex home care provision. This is so we can meet individuals increasing needs without the need to move into alternative care provision. 

Extra care 

We recognise the value of extra care as a hybrid model that supports people to have their "own front door" whilst benefiting from access to onsite care and support 24 hours a day. 

Following the launch of the new contract in 2024, we will be working with providers and developers to further promote the extra care model to working age individuals with support needs, whilst also developing the workforce to enable them to meet the increased needs of those living in extra care. 

The aim will be to reduce the number of residential care placements by promoting and supporting extra care as a genuine long-term independent care and support option. 

Supported Living

Our new Supported Living Framework will provide increased stability and equity across all adults supported living provision. Once embedded in late 2025, we will work with providers and the wider market to stimulate provision for our Moving into Adulthood, Transforming Care and Forensic populations. 

The aim will be to create simplified pathways for individuals whilst ensuring there is sufficient provision and a skilled workforce to meet our increasing needs in West Northamptonshire.

Day opportunities

During 2025/26, we will be reviewing its current day service provision to explore opportunities to modernise the market. It is our aim to create a range of services that offer both building and community-based offers that can meet the social, educational and employment needs of those accessing the services.

Integrated Community Equipment Service

We are the lead commissioner for the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) contract on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board. Over the next 12 months, the partnership will develop and put in place a self-assessment tool that will help individuals to identify their needs and find suitable equipment to make daily living easier. 

The tools will:

• ask questions about the individual’s needs and environment
• suggest products or advice tailored to the individual's specific needs
• provide a free, personalised report with clear advice from experts, an impartial list of equipment, and information on where to get it

Partners are considering options for the next contract model due to go out to tender in 2026. We will continue to be the lead commissioner for the service.

For more detailed information on demand, supply and our commissioning intentions across all our sectors, please read our latest market position statement below. 

If you would like to discuss how your organisation can support us to meet our future needs, please contact the Strategic Commissioning Team on [email protected].

Market Position Statement (MPS) 

The Market Position Statement (MPS) for Adult Care Services aims to create a common understanding of the local care market covering need and demand for care, current supply of services and commissioning intentions, to enable the effective design and delivery of services for people that need care and support now and in the future. 

Importantly this creates a platform for continued dialogue and collaboration with providers around the challenges facing the local social care and health system, and the market development solutions that exist to improve care outcomes.

End of Life Care Strategy

The All-Age Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy (P&EoLC) sets out the vision and priorities of the Northamptonshire P&EoLC system and describes how we will improve the quality of life of all-age individuals, their families, and carers, who are living with a life-limiting illness.

Carer Strategy

The Carer Strategy aims to improve the support of carers and help them to find a balance between their caring responsibilities and maintaining their own health and lifestyle.

Find out more about our Carer Strategy.

Dementia Strategy

To ensure there is a clear vision and consistent approach to enable us to deliver world-class dementia services, we have refreshed the previous dementia strategy for Northamptonshire, which covered the period 2016 to 2019. Our refreshed Integrated Care Northamptonshire Dementia Strategy (2024-2026) is based on the current national guidance.

Dementia training and education framework

West Northamptonshire Council are working collaboratively with the University of Northampton (UON) and stakeholders to develop a revised training and education framework for all services across Northamptonshire. The proposed framework is currently in early discussions, as updated information becomes available it will be shared here.

Co-Production Framework

In West Northamptonshire, we want to include experts by their experience to transform WNC’s services to be inclusive, responsive, empathetic and empowering.

Find out more about our Co-Production Framework.

Last updated 19 March 2025