Other community, social and personal services

Tender description

To provide Money and Welfare Advisory Services in Midlothian. Midlothian Council is seeking expressions of interest in the provision of a Money and Welfare Advisory Service. Approach Money and Welfare Advisory services are part of an approach in Midlothian that promotes joined-up, collaborative working that supports citizens within the framework of the Single Midlothian Plan, the shared plan of the community planning partnership. Advice services form a core part of the Plan’s commitment to reducing inequalities, where collaboration is pursued through the Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network across an agency network of advice providers working closely with the Council’s Welfare Rights service and other relevant services — including Adult Health and Social Care, Children and Families, Housing and Revenues, and Lifelong learning and Employability. Providers will be expected to be able to meet the expectations of the Scottish Government’s Common Advice Performance Management Framework (CAPMF), which seeks to capture key performance data for money and welfare rights advice services funded by local authorities on both an in-house and commissioned basis., and have the ability to fulfil quality standards set out in the “Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers: A Quality Assurance Framework 2009” at appropriate levels. Service Delivery Provide free to users’ impartial quality confidential advice on a variety of issues including debt, benefits, and employment, housing and consumer rights. Deliver specialist money advice including budgeting, income maximisation, negotiating with creditors, and advice on bankruptcy, debt arrangement scheme and ‘mortgage to rent’ as well as shared equity. Provide outreach advice sessions including home visits to housebound residents and giving priority to promoting, ensuring and tracking access for residents of areas of concentrated multiple deprivation, recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Have experience of working as a core partner in the Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network part of the Improving Opportunities theme of the Community planning partnership, and demonstrate ability to deliver locally, demonstrating effective links to other Midlothian based services. The Advice Service is expected to work in close partnership with a wide range of community based services to ensure that people are able to access the most appropriate support available within Midlothian. Most people who will be referred will have complex social issues, mental health difficulties and/or a long term condition. It is expected that around 2000 people will be offered assistance each year and that 70 % or more will engage beyond an initial contact. There will be a supplier event on Monday 24.9.2018, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Fairfield House, 8 Lothian Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 3AA. This event will give you the opportunity to find out in more detail what Midlothian Council is planning to do and also about the procurement rules that will govern the tender process. To book a place please contact Hayley Bell, tel: 0131 561 5446 or email: Hayley.bell@midlothian.gov.uk.