PCD 1463 Appropriate Adult service for vulnerable adults – Extension Funding and Consultancy

PCD 1463 Appropriate Adult service for vulnerable adults – Extension Funding and Consultancy

The current Appropriate Adult Funded Scheme (AAFS) for vulnerable adults is due to end in September 2023 and is co-funded by MOPAC, MPS, NHS and Local authorities. While work is ongoing to confirm the plans for the future of the service, MOPAC and partners are looking to extend the current provision by 13 months. This decision requests a MOPAC contribution of £260,000 to extend the provision until October 2024.

MOPAC are also looking to procure a consultant/consultancy to work alongside MOPAC officers to support the design and development of a model for the future of Appropriate Adult services for vulnerable adults, which will include consultation with various partners and those with lived experience of requiring a vulnerable adult. This decision requests the funding for and contract award of £45,000 for a consultant to undertake this design and development work.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:  

1. Approve the extension of the current AAFS until October 2024, with a MOPAC contribution of £260,000 of which £120,000 will be incurred in 2023/24 and £140,000 in 2024/25
2. Approve funding for, procurement of and contract award for a consultant/consultancy at a maximum cost of £45,000, noting the costs will be incurred in 2023/24.

Note that funding will need to be met from existing resources within the C&P budget. In the event funding cannot be identified a paper should come back to MOPAC Board and DMPC for further discussion.

PART I - NON-CONFIDENTIAL FACTS AND ADVICE TO THE DMPC

1. Introduction and background

• 1. The Appropriate Adult Funded Scheme (AAFS) started in 2019, jointly funded for 3 years by MOPAC, MPS and NHSE. It has since been extended until September 2023 of which the funding currently ends. The AAFS scheme currently offers a grant to Local Authorities (LAs), with funds released per quarter based on providing the following Appropriate Adult (AA) contractual service for vulnerable adults:
• Available 24hrs a day, 7 days per week.
• Available at all required stages of an investigation, including for pre-arranged suspect interviews held at, and away from police stations, including prisons.
• For all detainees / suspects at locations within a given area, regardless of home address or location of alleged offence.
• The providers of service should be members of the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN).

1. 2. This decision requests for MOPAC funding (£260,000) to extend the current service by 13 months, until October 2024.

1. 3. This decision also requests for MOPAC funding (£45,000) to procure and award contract to a consultant, to provide specialist input into the design of a model for a future Appropriate Adult service for vulnerable adults London.

2. Issues for consideration

1. 1. MOPAC is working with MPS and NHS to explore future funding opportunities for an Appropriate Adult Service for vulnerable adults. A consultant is required to support this work to understand sufficient, develop options and support design of a future delivery model which will involve in depth consultant with partners. The product of this work will be presented to senior officials across MOPAC, MPS and NHS to agree next steps.

1. 2. While this work is being undertaken, an extension of 13 months is required. This extension will cover the consultancy work for 4 months and allow 9 months for the re-procurement of the service.

1. 3. The current service does not provide a full reach across London with currently only 21 Local Authorities signed up to the AAFS.  This means that only 18 of the 23 MPS 24/7 custody suites are able to access AAs for vulnerable adults 24 hours a day – in some circumstances the MPS use a “call off” provision in those areas which are not covered by the contract.

1. 4. Therefore the service is inconsistent across London, costly and not meeting the needs of vulnerable adults 24/7. Demand for the service is also increasing, with needs being better identified and more vulnerable adults understanding their rights. For example, demand in 2016 was 6.06% which by 2020 increased to 14.90%.

1. 5. Although the MPS currently hold the contracts with local authorities, it is important that Appropriate Adult Services are independent of the MPS.

1. 6. This work is supportive of the Casey review recommendations, to ensure arrangements are in place to support the most vulnerable adults.

3. Financial Comments

1. 1. The total budget requirement for this work totals £305,000.  The consultant funding of £45,000 will be spent in financial years 2023/24. The extension funding of £260,000 will span across financial years 2023/24 and 2024/2025 of which £120,000 relates to 2023/24 and £140,000 relates to 2024/25.
2. 2. In 2023/24 the expectation is that C&P will meet the costs from existing resources. Funding for the 2024/25 costs will be addressed as part of the 2024/25 setting process and is expected to be met from within the C&P allocation rather than requiring additional funding from MOPAC reserves.

1. 3. In the event sufficient funds cannot be identified the decision will return to Board/ DMPC for further discussion.

4. Legal Comments

4. 1. There are relevant powers set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 at sections 17(1) (a) to (c) which place MOPAC under a duty to exercise its functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all it can to prevent, crime and disorder (including anti-social and other behaviour adversely affecting the local environment), reoffending in its area, and the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances in its area. The proposed arrangements are consistent with MOPAC’s duties in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

5. Commercial Issues

1. 1. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) currently hold the contracts with Local Authorities for the local commissioning of AA services for vulnerable adults. For the extension of the service, MOPAC will provide the MPS with £260,000 to extend the provision until October 2024.

1. 2. MOPAC will procure a consultant for the development of a sufficiency and options paper, through a standard competitive process. This approach will be proposed to PCGOB for approval on 20th June 2023.

1. 3. A contract will be put in place with the successful consultant, at the maximum value of £45,000 to deliver this work within a maximum of 4 months.

6. Public Health Approach

1. 1. This service extension and consultancy work for appropriate adults for vulnerable adults will support those with vulnerabilities and identifying those with mental health needs at an early stage through their interaction with the police to ensure support is provided.

7. GDPR and Data Privacy

1. 1. MOPAC will adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and ensure that any organisations who are commissioned to do work with or on behalf of MOPAC are fully compliant with the policy and understand their GDPR responsibilities. 

8. Equality Comments

1. 1. MOPAC is required to comply with the public sector equality duty set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010. This requires MOPAC to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by reference to people with protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

1. 2. An Appropriate adults for vulnerable adults are independent of the police and will support those most vulnerable throughout their interaction with the police. This allows for external challenge to behaviours which may occur by the police as highlighted in the Casey review.

9. Background/supporting papers

N/A