Health and social work services

Tender description

Arden and GEM CSU on behalf of Birmingham and Solihull CCG and Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG is seeking expressions of interest from suitability qualified providers for the provision of a Mental Health Carer Support Service. The Contract will be for 3 years with a further 2 year extension option. No further notice will be issued with regard to this opportunity and only those parties that have submitted a valid expression of interest to this notice will be invited to tender. Further information in relation to this opportunity can be found via the Bravo eProcurement Portal. Details of how to access the Bravo eProcurement system and Information of how to submit a valid expression of interest can be found in section VI.3 of this notice. The required service will provide a range of information, advice, one to one and group/peer support to carers of adults with mental health needs or diagnosed with Autism or ADHD. The service provides person-centred support based on needs identified by the carer these may include health and wellbeing support; advice and support to engage with clinicians and services; support to access respite; information about mental health issues; support around social issues including employment, housing and finances; supported access to opportunities for social engagement. The service is provided to carers of adults with mental health needs or diagnosed with Autism or ADHD. (including those accessing mental health services in primary, secondary or tertiary care or those who have not yet accessed services or have disengaged from services). Carers can be of any age including young carers (those aged 4 – 17 years old). The cared for individual will be registered with a Birmingham GP (Birmingham and Solihull CCG and West Birmingham area of Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG). It should be noted that the carer receiving support may live outside Birmingham. It is recognised that in some instances cared for individuals who are homeless, gypsy/traveller communities or other transient communities may not be registered with a GP. The provider will be expected to provide a service in such instances where it is reasonable to do so. The service will recognise that effectively meeting the needs of mental health carers may at times require liaison across a wide spectrum of statutory and non-statutory provision. Whole system relationships may include the following: — General practice and primary care, — Primary care, community, inpatient and specialist mental health services, — Mental health advocacy services, — Acute hospital services, — Social care including children and young people’s and vulnerable adults safeguarding boards, — Education and other services for children and young people, — Housing services, — Employment services, — Advice and information services, — Other services for carers, — Community and voluntary sector provision. The service will be provided by an appropriately supervised, qualified and competent staff team with evidence of the following: — Understanding of the role and experience of carers, particularly mental health carers and carers of people with Autism/ADHD, — Practical understanding of legislation and policy applying to carers, — Practical understanding of safeguarding for young people and vulnerable adults, — Provision of advice, information and advocacy, — Partnership working and network development, — Understanding of Autism, ADHD and mental health conditions, services and related issues, — Assessment and support planning, — Listening and emotional support skills, — Group work skills. The service will engage on, an ad hoc basis, with appropriate research opportunities that contribute to the evidence base for the provision of carer support services. Particular attention will be paid to evidence relating to the value of specific interventions and the effectiveness of provision across different population groups. Where appropriate, and as part of networking and relationship development activity, the service will support the training and education of staff who may come into contact with mental health carers, through both the Recovery College offer in the city and internally.