Provision of a Sensory Impairment Prevention & Support Service

Tender description

Dorset County Council has historically maintained an in-house Sight and Hearing team to undertake all aspects of social care provision for adults impacted by a sensory disability. This includes drop in facilities at a number of sites across Dorset. These have very low footfall and their future is currently uncertain. Financial constraints have enabled a strategic overview of how these services are provided in the future whilst taking into account the requirements of the Care Act which was implemented in 2015. It is clear that a significant proportion of the work of this team sits with the preventative agenda, and it is this element that the Sensory Impairment Prevention and Support Service will address. Data has demonstrated that the number of people entering the in-house service does not reflect the actual number of people in Dorset living with an element of sensory impairment. We therefore need a service that provides greater opportunities for Dorset communities to gain information, advice and support. The contract will offer the opportunity to develop the service in response to the level of need and support identified, with an extension allowing a targeted response to the evidence gathered in the first two years. This tender is for a contract starting on 01 September 2016 for a period of two years to 31 August 2018 with an option to extend for up to a further two (1 + 1) years dependent upon performance during the initial contract period and continued availability of funding. The commissioners are keen to receive bids from providers working together as a consortium. Keywords: Hearing, Sensory, Impairment, Sight, Support