Health and social work services

Tender description

The aim of Community Short Breaks (CSB) for children and young people/person (CYP) with disabilities with an assessed need is to provide individualised packages of support which builds on the strengths of families and enables parents and carers to fulfil their parenting and caring role and CYP to engage in life enriching activities within the community. This Framework is comprised of 2 Lots: Personal Care and Short Break Daytime (Lot 1); Overnight Residential Short Breaks Provision (Lot 2). This may include the provision of personal care and additional support to the family in the Service User's home, day/evening sitting service and escorting CYP to activities within their community, as determined by the Service User's care plan. It is expected that the Service User's parent/ carer will be present in the house during visits providing personal care and additional support to the family in the home. Any sessions where the parent wishes to leave the house during the worker's visits should be pre-arranged and negotiated between the Service Provider and the family. Personal care routines carried out may include waking the Service User, washing, dressing, preparing food and feeding the Service User. Typically this support may be needed as the Service User wakes in the morning or as they prepare for bed in the evening. This service does not include the provision of medical care e.g. tube feeding or administration of medication. In some instances the parents may prefer to care for the child with disabilities while the worker supports other children in the family with their routines. Where a CYP has been assessed as requiring support to access activities within the community, the CYP will be met at their home (or another pre-arranged local venue e.g. school) by the worker. The worker will then accompany or transport the young person to a selected social learning activity within the local area (i.e. normally within 5 miles of the young person's home). A typical activity might involve a visit to Youth and After School Clubs; Holiday Play and Leisure Schemes; Outreach, where the CYP is supported to go out to social events/ leisure trips e.g. the cinema, including the young person's involvement, where possible, in the purchase of tickets. CYP will be accompanied or transported back to their home (or alternative pre-arranged venue) by the worker at the end of the session and handed back to a responsible adult. The majority of care packages for overnight residential short breaks provision will be for Service Users aged 12 and above, although younger Service Users may be placed in residential settings in exceptional circumstances as determined at the Purchaser's sole discretion and it is expected that Service Providers will be able to deliver in these circumstances. Residential short breaks can be arranged on a 1-off or a regular basis. Respite care is usually arranged on a planned basis, but it may be arranged quickly in an emergency situation. Facilities must be appropriately adapted for CYP with disabilities, including toilet and bathroom facilities and other specialist equipment that would be reasonably expected to meet the needs of CYP with complex disabilities. Fixed/ mobile hoists must be available where Service Users require them. There should be accessibility mechanisms such as a passenger or wheelchair lift for CYP to access upstairs facilities as required. The provision will take place in a homelike environment that is friendly, homely, safe, secure, comfortable, caring, stimulating, fun and nurturing. There will be access to a wide range of stimulating activities both within the residential environment and the wider community. It will provide opportunity for interaction with others and the development of friendships, life, independence and communication skills.