Social work and related services

Tender description

This is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch regime of Regulations 74-77 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking tenders from Service Providers wishing to join a Framework Agreement for the provision of Statutory Advocacy Services in accordance with the draft Form of Contract. There will be Five Lots within this Framework Agreement: 1) Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy; 2) Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding; 3) Relevant Persons Paid Representatives (including volunteers); 4) Care Act Advocacy; 5) Non-Statutory General Advocacy. IMCA Services are required by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. An IMCA is an advocate appointed to support and represent a person aged 16 years or over who has a mental disorder under The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and lacks the mental capacity to make serious and complex decisions. IMCAs represent individuals who lack capacity to make a specific decision and have no friends or family that can be consulted as part of a best interest decision. The IMCA will make representations about the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs and values. The IMCA will bring to the attention of the decision-makers all factors that are relevant to their decision. IMCAs will also be able to challenge the decision-makers if appropriate and must report any safeguarding concerns. The IMCA Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Service applies to individuals aged 18 years or over who lack mental capacity and are a patient in a hospital or resident in a care home and are protected by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 introduced as an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Managing Authority e.g. a care home or hospital should seek to request a DoLS authorisation where a deprivation is occurring from the Supervisory Body. Paid Relevant Person’s Representative (PRPR) / Volunteer Relevant Persons Representative (VRPR) role will ensure that: — All possible support and representation is given to help the person understand their rights to review and access to the Court of Protection, — The requirements of the DoLS authorisation are being met, — Relevant records are requested on a best interests basis if the person lacks capacity to decide on access, — The person is represented in care reviews (preferably by attending in person) where it is evident that additional restrictions upon the persons liberty are being considered or implemented following accommodation moves (within 12 weeks of move) or requests for a further authorisation, — The person is represented in any adult safeguarding proceedings, — The person is represented in any accommodation decisions which need to be made immediately after the person is no longer subject to a standard authorisation. The duty applies to eligible adults aged 18 years plus, children approaching transition, carers and young carers (therefore some service users will be aged 16 years) the Service. The focus of advocacy requirements under the Act are concerned with support and representation in the following areas: — a needs assessment including CHC, — a carer’s assessment, — the preparation of a care and support or support plan, — a review of a care and support or support plan, — a child’s needs assessment, — a child’s carer’s assessment, — a young carer’s assessment, —. a safeguarding enquiry, — a safeguarding adult review, — an appeal against a local authority decision under Part 1 of the Care Act (subject to further consultation). The Service will deliver a range of innovative and brief interventions on a 1:1 or group basis with the aim of supporting and enabling individuals to make their own decisions to identify and access services that meet their needs in addition to empowering individuals to advocate for themselves. The Service will also direct individuals to a range of self-help easy-read materials and templates and/or signpost to alternative suitable services.