Use of Agency Staff within Learning Disabilities Services

Summary

A request was made for agency staff hours, costs, and qualification details for Learning Disabilities Residential Services in September and October 2024. Manx Care disclosed the hours and qualification status but withheld cost information citing commercial sensitivity.

Key Facts

• The request covered agency staff usage in Learning Disabilities Residential Services for September and October 2024.
• Information regarding staff hours and Safe Moving and Handling qualifications was released.
• Cost data was withheld under Section 30(2)(B) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The exemption was applied to protect the commercial interests of the provider, TopCare.
• Manx Care noted the restricted market on the Isle of Man makes maintaining supplier relationships critical.

Data Disclosed

• September 2024
• October 2024
• 2024-11-01
• 2024-12-03
• 4232841
• TopCare
• Section 30(2)(B)
• 6 pages
• 2 documents

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30(2)(B) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Commercially Sensitive)

Original Request

Q1 How many Agency Staff, in hours, have been used to cover shifts within the Learning Disabilities Residential Services during each of the following months; September 2024 October 2024 Q2 What is the total cost paid to the Agency (or Agencies) that have provided staff, broken down into each of the two months September 2024 and October 2024? Were the Agency Staff suitably qualified in the following area; Safe Moving and Handling of loads Are the costs identified in Q2 ongoing (is there a specific limited term contract in existence between Manx Care and the Agency or Agencies)?

Data Tables (3)

Full Response Text

Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 4232841 3 December 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 1 November 2024, which states:

"Q1 How many Agency Staff, in hours, have been used to cover shifts within the Learning Disabilities Residential Services
during each of the following months;

September 2024
October 2024

Q2 What is the total cost paid to the Agency (or Agencies) that have provided staff, broken down into each of the two months
September 2024 and October 2024?

Were the Agency Staff suitably qualified in the following area;

Safe Moving and Handling of loads

Are the costs identified in Q2 ongoing (is there a specific limited term contract in existence between Manx Care and the Agency or Agencies)?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(2) (B) of the Act as it is Commercially Sensitive.

As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure There is public interest in Manx Care's expenditure particularly, given the current financial pressures.

There is also ongoing general interest in how public funds are spent.
A result could be lower tender prices for care packages.

Factors in favour of withholding

The request is framed in such a way that the average/ mean hourly cost of care provided by TopCare would be easily identifiable.

This may prejudice TopCare's ability to competitively tender for future contracts.
The provider is aware of this request, they are in agreement to the hours and training information being released, however they have asked we refrain from releasing the costs.

We wish to maintain a positive relationship with this supplier, as the care sector is still very much squeezed post-pandemic and it is at times challenging to source quality, person-centred care that is compliant with applicable regulations. This particularly applies on the restricted market on the Island, where we are limited in our care purchasing options.

In taking these factors into account Manx Care determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 4232841 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

TSO Staff TSO Ref Surname Forenam e Post / Specialty TSO /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker TSO/ /ASLD/24 Residential Support Worker Ward / Area Care Group Sub Care Group Actual Start Date ASLD - Res Care - Griffindale Complex Adult Services Learning Disabilities 07/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Cushag House Adult Services Learning Disabilities 07/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Cushag House Adult Services Learning Disabilities 21/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Cronk Grianagh Bungalow 4 Adult Services Learning Disabilities 07/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Thie Ny Aishlish Adult Services Learning Disabilities 07/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Cronk Grianagh Bungalow 1 Adult Services Learning Disabilities 07/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Greenacres Adult Services Learning Disabilities 01/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Greenacres Adult Services Learning Disabilities 01/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Hollydene Adult Services Learning Disabilities 01/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Spring Meadows Adult Services Learning Disabilities 01/10/2024 ASLD - Res Care - Spring Meadows Adult Services Learning Disabilities 01/10/2024 Actual End Date Core Hours Moving and Handling Training 01/12/2024 481.00 17.08.24 20/10/2024 481.00 22.09.24 01/12/2024 481.00 25.06.24 01/12/2024 481.00 23.01.24 10/11/2024 481.00 23.01.24 01/12/2024 481.00 27.10.23 01/12/2024 481.00 24.08.24 01/12/2024 481.00 04.09.24 01/12/2024 481.00 22.01.24 01/12/2024 481.00 26.01.24 01/12/2024 481.00 24.01.24