Privatisation of Social Services

Summary

The requester asked for documents regarding proposals to privatise or outsource Social Services functions since October 2021, but the Department of Health and Social Care responded that it does not hold such information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold information concerning the privatisation or outsourcing of Social Services.
• Since April 2021, the Department's role is limited to legislator, regulator, and assurer, while Manx Care holds agency for service delivery.
• Manx Care may commission third-party organisations to deliver services, such as staffing care homes like Summerhill View.
• The Department owns properties for services but acts only as a landlord, not as the service provider.
• Regulatory audit duties may be outsourced to external providers like the Care Quality Commission, but this is distinct from service delivery.

Data Disclosed

• 1 October 2021
• April 2021
• 27 October 2025
• 18 September 2025
• Section 15
• 4944781

Original Request

I would like to request the following information in relation to any proposals for the privatisation, outsourcing, or externalisation of functions within the Isle of Man Health Service and Social Services: Copies of all reports, consultation papers, business cases, or option appraisals produced since 1 October 2021 relating to the potential privatisation, outsourcing, or transfer of services currently delivered by Social Services. Minutes, agendas, and notes of any meetings (including Council of Ministers, Departmental meetings, and sub-committees) since 1 October 2021 where such proposals were discussed. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, and briefings) between the Department of Health and Social Care, Manx Care, the Treasury, and external consultants or companies regarding potential privatisation or outsourcing of Social Services functions, since 1 October 2021. The timetable or projected timescale for any announcements, consultations, or decisions regarding these proposals. If any part of this request is refused, please provide the specific exemption(s) relied upon and the reasons why they apply. Thank you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Prof. Tim O’Neill Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4944781 27 October 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 18 September 2025, which states:

"I would like to request the following information in relation to any proposals for the privatisation, outsourcing, or externalisation of functions within the Isle of Man Health Service and Social Services:

Copies of all reports, consultation papers, business cases, or option appraisals produced since 1 October 2021 relating to the potential privatisation, outsourcing, or transfer of services currently delivered by Social Services.

Minutes, agendas, and notes of any meetings (including Council of Ministers, Departmental meetings, and sub-committees) since 1 October 2021 where such proposals were discussed.

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, and briefings) between the Department of Health and Social Care, Manx Care, the Treasury, and external consultants or companies regarding potential privatisation or outsourcing of Social Services functions, since 1 October 2021.

The timetable or projected timescale for any announcements, consultations, or decisions regarding these proposals.

If any part of this request is refused, please provide the specific exemption(s) relied upon and the reasons why they apply.

Thank you."

Thank you for your patience whilst we have been processing your request.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (“the Department”), does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

The Department are unable to find information concerning the “outsourcing”, “privatisation” or “externalisation” of any services currently delivered by Social Services (“the services”).

To provide advice and assistance in accordance with our duty under Section 15 of the Act; the Department Plan articulates a vision for integrated, community-based care that is person-centred and outcome-focused. The Department sets the strategic direction to develop and evolve the Island’s approach to health and social care delivery, regulation, and commissioning as set by the vision outlined in the Department Plan.

Commissioning
The Department’s role, since the establishment of Manx Care in April 2021, is that of a legislator, regulator and assurer, overseeing the strategic direction of healthcare delivery; it mandates the delivery of the services to Manx Care via the Mandate to Manx Care.

Upon setting the Mandate, Manx Care have agency on how those services are delivered, where necessary Manx Care may further commission the delivery of services to third-party organisations, where appropriate.

The Department owns and provides the properties for the commissioned services to be carried out, but from a landlord perspective. It is not responsible for the delivery of social services. This would be Manx Care.

An example of how this works in practice is the provision of care home facilities for elderly residents, e.g. Summerhill View; Manx Care explored all options to ensure that services in the new facility would be delivered in the most efficient way including provision from independent providers. The outcome was that Manx Care commissioned independent providers to staff and operate the home on behalf of Manx Care.

Health & Social Care Regulation:
The Department is the regulator of specific services, e.g. Care Homes and Nurseries, via its Registration & Inspections (“R&I”) function. From time to time, this will require the commissioning or outsourcing of regulatory audit duties to an external provider, e.g. the Care Quality Commission. Whilst this does relate to the services, it aligns more with the regulation of services as opposed to delivery.

Should you have any further queries, or wish to submit a further specific request, please let me know, or alternatively, you can submit a separate Freedom of Information request via the online portal.

You may also wish to submit a request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you.

Please quote the reference number 4944781 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.