Social work and related services

Tender description

The council has a statutory responsibility for the delivery of advocacy and independent visiting (IV) for children. Currently the children’s advocacy and IV service is delivered by an in-house team. Adults advocacy services are delivered through an external contract which expires on 31.9.2019. The services covered by this procurement have been sub-divided into 2 lots: Lot 1 – Children Advocacy Services (including IV). Lot 2 – Adults Advocacy Services. Tenderers can apply to deliver either lot or both. Lots will be awarded to the tenderer/s presenting the best price-quality ratio. Further details are included within the procurement documents accessed via the South East Business Portal https://sebp.due-north.com/ Both Independent Visitors (IVs) and Advocates are provided through an internally managed service supported by volunteers. The service currently provides support to vulnerable young people and those on child protection plans; aged 5 -18 years old, or up until the age of 25 if they have special educational needs and require continued support into adulthood. Young people supported through these services will include: — looked after children who wish to be represented by an independent person, — children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation, — children and young people at risk of homelessness, — children and young people with mental health issues who are not accessing alternative one-to-one support, — children and young people making a complaint, — children and young people in residential or edge of care accommodation. Since 2014, referrals to the service have tripled. There is an on-going need to ensure support and clear guidelines are made available. TUPE will apply. The contract can be delivered by single organisations or consortium/partnerships, and the successful provider will need to maintain strong working relationships and work with other organisations to deliver an effective, timely service. Estimated start/end date: 1.10.2019 to 30.9.2022. Contract term: 3 years plus the option to extend up to a further 2 years. Further details are included within the procurement documents accessed via the South East Business Portal https://sebp.due-north.com/ Provision of these services are delivered by paid advocates and a small number of volunteers through an external contract. The statutory advocacy services required are: — Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy service (IMCA), — Paid Relevant Person’s Representative service (RPR), — Independent Mental Health Advocacy service (IMHA) (including independent mental health advocacy prison service), — NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy service, — Independent Care Act Advocacy service (ICAA). TUPE will apply. The contract can be delivered by single organisations or consortium/partnerships, and the successful provider will need to maintain strong working relationships and work with other organisations to deliver an effective, timely service. Estimated start/end date: 1.10.2019 to 30.9.2022. Contract term: 3 years plus the option to extend up to a further 2 years. Further details are included within the procurement documents accessed via the South East Business Portal https://sebp.due-north.com/