August 2013 The Action Group CEC Market shaping Strategy Our thoughts as a Provider

General thoughts I can only speak for The action Group. We welcome a partnership approach. We echo the “thank Goodness it’s not the Care and support tender all over again.” We appreciate the effort to try to find positive solutions to the challenges ahead. We welcome that “The changes will apply equally to the services provided by the Council”, and look forward to seeing this happen in practice. We want to engage in a positive dialogue. Difficult economic times ahead. The going may still get tough....more than ever there needs to be true partnership/and an understanding of each Provider’s contribution to the strategy.

The Action Group Our whole organisational strategy is about individuals being in charge, and being purchasers children and adults who buy 3416 hrs per week of support, groups, camps, holidays etc. from us. Changed how we do things internally to meet customer need more effectively. We know we need to do more. But we have achieved much in SDS terms. We feel confident that users with IB’s and DP’s will continue to want to buy what we offer...and will leave us if we cannot provide what they want. We see opportunities within this strategy on our own and working with our Group Partner, Ark Housing Association. Social enterprises....the fact we bring in external funding...autism/dementia services....older people with disabilities....our Advice services...health and well being support...working with families....etc.

Market shaping strategy thoughts and questions: Timescale: Final version by October Launch: July Will there be ongoing reviews? That allow further feedback? More clarity and detail is needed: How will CEC “Intervene in the market” what will be the “investment” and “disinvestments” ? How will CEC “support the business planning of Provider’s so that they in turn can support the strategy” What will this mean for Organisations, but more importantly, current users, carers and staff of TAG?

Local presence V’s “most providers are too concentrated in the city centre” We provide services in all areas of the City, where users want or need this. In Edinburgh, one office (Is Easter Rd, City Centre?) “Evaluate Provider’s best value in respect of property? Insurance? And utility costs?” How will this be evaluated? What system will be applied? “Release resources to the front line”...CEC recognises the need for office accommodation for its own staff/functions....what will this mean in reality? Do we need to “localise” our organisation more? (back to the past?/more cost? Procurement savings (In CEC 5 year budget ) set to grow from £9m to £50. How much of these savings are expected to be found from Social care procurement, of current provision?

There is much in the strategy that TAG and other providers, already do/or could do. We welcome a mature dialogue regarding risk V’s freedom, so that we can have a “Proactive, credible approach to risk management”. “Provider’s risk management has to get better” (C Whelan.) A move away from a Blame culture: as things do go wrong. We look forward to our Regulators being involved in this dialogue. We welcome a move away from Contract compliance and more outcome focused contracting with individuals or CEC.

Social media: we need to get better at this for those current and future users who will engage in this medium. Working in partnership with the right organisations: how TAG sees our future. Joint funding/Consortiums/Formal partnerships. We wish to engage with finding out more detail on the market shaping strategy. We feel strongly that more time is needed. To support our business planning, we need greater clarity on: Disinvestment plans Investment plans We welcome this process being a “marathon, not a sprint”: and look forward to more detail and more conversations.