CareCubed Charter

CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter

Contents Protocol to Support Good Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Strategic Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Health and Social Care Commissioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Resolution of disagreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The CareCubed Charter aims to act as a protocol for users and sets the expected behaviour for both parties Our fair care fair price charter developed in conjunction with councils and providers aims to act as a protocol for users and sets the expected behaviour and principles for both parties when using CareCubed, but also more broadly through the commissioning process.

It is hoped that by actively applying the principles within the charter, commissioners and providers are more likely to build trust and mutual respect, achieve a better balance of risk and streamline the negotiation process.

The overarching aim is to ensure positive outcomes are achieved for people who rely on care and support services, through the effective use of resources and with providers and commissioners working as partners. It’s our aspiration for the principles outlined in the charterto become industry standard around information and data management in personcentred care practice.

Sign up to the CareCubed Charter We invite all local authorities and care providers to sign up to the principles outlined in this charter. To sign up to the CareCubed Charter, please go to: www.iese.org.uk/carecubed-charter

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CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter

Protocol to Support Good Practice This protocol has been drawn up following consultation with Health and Social Care commissioners and a broad range of providers. Its purpose is to recommend a framework to facilitate constructive dialogue between commissioners and providers.

More specifically, it aims to promote the effective use of the CareCubed in commissioning services for people with complex care needs- that are value driven, high quality, and offer value for money. The protocol sets out undertakings for both sides, based on what each can expect from the other and seeks to influence behaviour.

By actively applying the principles described, commissioners and providers are more likely to build trust and mutual respect, achieve a better balance of risk and streamline the negotiation process. The overarching aim is to ensure positive outcomes are achieved for people who rely on care and support services, through the effective use of resources, and with providers and commissioners working as partners.

CareCubed replaces the Care Funding Calculator (CFC) © which is now desupported, unlicensed (including any adaptations) and invalid because datasets that underpin it are no longer maintained or updated – meaning any outputs should no longer be accepted in negotiations.

CareCubed was released in 2019 and is the only validated, nationally recognised model that is supported and updated on an ongoing basis by iESE. This new digital tool is being used by a growing number of councils and providers as a strategic tool to help shape markets, build better relationships between commissioners and providers and ensure the right care is being provided at a fair price for all parties.

CareCubed encourages an individualised approach to the identification of the strengths, needs and improvement outcomes delivered, in both residential and supported living settings, highlighting aspects of personal development, choice and control. This web based tool provides a digital solution for commissioners and providers to collaborate, have a shared understanding and ensure a fair price is paid for care placements. CareCubed also incorporates an element which supports community presence and participation, both within formal care settings and also as a gateway to future independent living options.

CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter

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Strategic Principles Use of the CareCubed to procure services from the full range of providers requires a mature approach to securing contracts which accepts:

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The benefits of adopting a common understanding about cost structures, and the relationship between fair pricing, investment decisions and building market capacity.

The importance of achieving a fair and proportionate balance of risks with providers.

Wherever possible people who rely on care and support services should be involved in the use of CareCubed.

Meaningful engagement and fair negotiation builds relationships and will enhance service design and delivery.

Common to commissioners and providers is the need for objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty.

Funding is a central factor in the relationship between commissioners and providers.

Effective and fair terms of delivery contribute towards developing an effective partnership.

The achievement of agreed outcomes is an indicator of the success of funding.

The financial relationship should be constructed in such a way that allows outcomes to be maximised.

Delivery specifications which include positive incentives are more likely to ensure beneficial outcomes are achieved.

Costing processes and contract negotiations should be as uncomplicated as possible and in proportion to the amount of money involved.

Well managed and mature commissioner/provider relationships mean that resources will be focused on achieving outcomes, rather than on costing processes.

Effective contract review focuses on outcomes, is fair and promotes transparency.

Importantly, the use of CareCubed is a means to an end, a starting point for negotiation, and not a conclusion.

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CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter

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Principles

Health and Social Care Commissioners Have a leadership responsibility for building efficient contractual relationships with providers and support them financially to ensure these businesses are sustainable and remain in business. These should reflect market plurality; provide incentives for delivering quality in relation to price, ensure the development and maintenance of market capacity and a fair allocation of risks.

Commissioners will:

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Involve people who rely on care and support services, wherever possible, in the use of CareCubed Respect the independence of providers and unique circumstances Be clear about which version of CareCubed is being used Make outputs from CareCubed available to providers, including access to its underpinning cost assumptions Make providers aware of the benefits of CareCubed and promote its use as a tool that they can also benefit from using Put outcomes at the heart of the commissioning process Use CareCubed to creatively to facilitate healthy dialogue and negotiation Show commitment to service quality and innovation Commitment to regular placement review; including upon request revisiting the initial funding calculations Develop their knowledge and understanding of providers’ services and cost pressures Promote a sound commercial relationship with providers taking account of the need for providers to operate efficiently Promote effective working relationships with providers and build trust through consultation Seek to increase transparency in procuring services from providers Implement longer term funding arrangements where these represent good value for money Be proportionate in monitoring Be clear about timescales and decision-making process Actively seek honest feedback from providers Manage conflict resolution positively

CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter

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Providers Providers recognise there are competing pressures on public spending and that commissioners are responsible for achieving value for money from the public purse.

Providers will:

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Involve people who rely on care and support services, wherever possible, in the use of CareCubed Support the use of CareCubed when focused on achieving quality outcomes for people who rely on care and support services, underpinned by transparent and fair cost assumptions Be willing to develop an awareness of commissioners’ policy objectives and priorities Define success coherently in terms of outcomes for people who rely on care and support services Reach agreement about terms of delivery and outcomes at the outset Ensure effective systems are established to account for finances Be straightforward and clear in reporting Seek forthright feedback from commissioners Manage conflict resolution positively

Resolution of disagreements As far as possible, disagreements over the application of CareCubed should be resolved between the parties. To assist this process, where both parties agree, independent mediation may be a useful way of trying to reach agreement.

Sign up to the CareCubed Charter We invite all local authorities and care providers to sign up to the principles outlined in this charter. To sign up to the CareCubed Charter, please go to: www.iese.org.uk/carecubed-charter

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CareCubed Fair Price Fair Care Charter