Market Position Statement 2025 - 2040 Community-Based Services - Day Services

Market Rating Supply - Day Services

Market Rating - Quality

 Day services are not CQC rated, hence it is difficult to assess the quality of day services in Walsall. Local quality assurance is needed to ensure that there is a local view on the quality of day services. Day service providers do seek their own service user feedback and quality reviews. 

Market Rating - Workforce Stability

Overall Current Market Status 

The current market for day opportunities in Walsall is varied. Walsall Council does not directly commission day services in the external provider market but is does have an in-house provider at the Goscote Centre. Direct payment recipients use their direct payments to buy day service provision in the Borough. Most of these services are buildings-based day services and they are located in different geographical areas and meet a variety of care and cultural needs.

Provider Dimension 

From a provider perspective, day services providers have told the Council about issues of sustainability they face given that they are reliant on self-funding clients, Lottery and other sources of funding. A review of day services needs to consider options for the Council commissioning day opportunities into the future.

Distance From Vision For The Future 

A future vision for day opportunities needs to be shaped with service users, families, providers and partners. The new Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategy states an intention to ‘review commissioning opportunities for the day opportunities offer’. 

The link between wellbeing, social isolation, community support, meaningful activities, progressive support, respite for families and choice and control is underpinned by day opportunities and this needs to be fleshed out in a clear plan for the future co-produced with people using these services.

Market Risks 

1. Sustainability of day services and opportunities is a risk as many services are Lottery funded or are based on sources of funding other than core Council funding
2. A review of current and future projected demand for day opportunities is required and an assessment of the quality and suitability of buildings and accommodation
3. Transport to get people to and from day services is flagged as a risk by providers. Providers have different arrangements including their own transport, community transport, family members but core funding from the Council for transport has ceased
4. Quality assurance of day opportunities by the Council is limited
5. A need to review day service offers and work with providers for the future is both an opportunity and a risk. This needs to be done in partnership to ensure a mix of buildings and non-buildings-based day opportunities for a range of needs and backgrounds into the future. This is key area for community - based services. There needs to be sufficient supply and capacity of day opportunities in the future to meet projected demand.

Market Opportunities 

• Opportunity to review and shape day opportunities in Walsall to have a bird’s eye view of all day services to meet projected needs and demand into the future for all ages and needs.
• Opportunity for the Council to consider the option of commissioning day opportunities as well as having day opportunities for direct payment clients only. This will bring more sustainability to the sector and more oversight of the quality and nature of provision by Council
• Opportunity to marry up the Adult Social Care (funded) day opportunities review with community assets, VCSE provision, ICB/ NHS social prescribing, locality assets and needs to create a broader picture of assets in communities
• Opportunity to have outreach and other forms of day support that isn’t always buildings-based
• Opportunity to consider transport issues as part of the review and consider ways of supporting service users, families and providers with this and alternatives such as independent travel training, travel buddies etc.