Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the commencement of a procurement process for adult social care home care and reablement services. The decision, made during a meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, aims to sustain and strengthen existing services while addressing current pressures. The Pre-approval to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services report indicates that the decision to retender these services is to sustain and strengthen existing successful elements of Haringey’s model while addressing current pressures. A re-procurement was required to preserve these gains and update the model for current market conditions.

A council worker in a blue jacket with a
Haringey Council worker

The new contracts will be for a term of up to eight years, with break clauses at years four and six. A commissioning mix has been approved, which will increase guaranteed hours from approximately 50% in the first year to around 70% by year three. The remaining hours will be procured via a Dynamic Purchasing System.

This new commissioning mix, which increases guaranteed hours and introduces sustainable rates, is expected to collectively improve resilience, continuity and contract oversight, according to the Pre-approval to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services report. The increased guaranteed hours and the use of a Dynamic Purchasing System are intended to enhance the quality and accessibility of care for service users.

A sustainable pricing approach, including a rate range and annual uplift mechanism, has also been agreed, with flexibility to respond to exceptional circumstances. The Pre-approval to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services report highlights that Introducing Council-defined sustainable rates with transparent uplift rules aligns with the Council’s fair-pay commitments and the requirement to consider the actual cost of care, reducing the risk of provider exit or failure. This approach is designed to genuinely reflect the actual cost of care and ensure fair pay for care workers.

To improve resilience and avoid over-concentration, the council has agreed to an increased number of contracts and a cap on awards per provider. The Cabinet also noted and approved the mobilisation approach, which includes TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) where applicable, Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM), and phased transition arrangements. The report states that these measures, along with ECM, will collectively improve resilience, continuity and contract oversight.

A smiling woman in a navy blue uniform stands with her arms crossed in front of a white van with
Haringey Council staff

Delegated authority has been granted to the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, to award contracts for home care and reablement services following the completion of the procurement process.

This decision follows a review of current services and aims to ensure clarity regarding the short-term, outcomes-focused role of reablement. Introducing sustainable rates aligns with fair-pay commitments and the requirement to consider the actual cost of care. The council rejected alternatives such as doing nothing, extending current arrangements only, delivering all home care in-house, or direct negotiation with incumbents.

Read more about the Pre-approval to tender for Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Services here.