Social Care Provision in Prisons

Description

City of Doncaster Council (CDC) has statutory responsibility for the provision of social care services within the prison setting. CDC was not involved in NHS England's procurement process for services commencing on 1 September 2026 and therefore had no input into the social care requirements or associated costs. Whilst the healthcare contract was awarded to PPG, no social care provision was included within the new NHS England arrangements. The delivery of social care services within a prison environment requires specialist expertise and the ability to operate within a complex and highly regulated secure setting. Providers must work closely with prison management, healthcare professionals and wider support agencies, whilst complying with prison security requirements, safeguarding arrangements, information governance protocols, access controls and established operational procedures. As the current provider of both healthcare and social care services within Doncaster prisons, PPG has established relationships, operational processes, governance arrangements, security-cleared staff and integrated care pathways already in place. Continuity of provision through PPG will minimise mobilisation risk, support effective partnership working and ensure the ongoing delivery of safe and effective services to vulnerable individuals within the prison population.