Development of Community and Micro Enterprises for Care and Support

Tender description

Development of Community and Micro Enterprises for Care and Support Hampshire County Council is looking to identify a provider which can stimulate and support the increase in community and micro-enterprises providing care and support services to people living in primarily rural communities (hamlets and isolated dwellings, rural villages and market towns). To establish the current market of community and micro enterprises and to develop the market further to increase the number of community and micro providers in the local market place offering individualised services to local people who live primarily in rural areas (hamlets and isolated dwellings, rural villages and market towns) needing social care and support, enabling them to live independently in their community with improved choice. The service will cover the geographical area of the county of Hampshire. The work will combine a practical approach to supporting business development with an understanding of government health and social care strategy and policy (for example Personal Health Budgets and Direct Payments). Micro-enterprises are very small (typically less than 5 workers, and could be an individual) local enterprises that provide a wide range of care and support services. These include personal care (i.e. washing and dressing), more general support in the home (i.e. help with a range of domestic tasks but not washing or dressing), day activities as well as housing, leisure and health services. In comparison with larger care providers, micro-enterprises provide more general support in the home and community. Many micro-enterprises operate in a small local area, and are set up by people with experience of using care services, of caring for family members or of working in larger care services. They are offered by a wide range of people and organisations in the community, including people who themselves need some support and family carers. They also help people to develop and use their social capital, and form a vital part of a diverse local market. Micro-providers transform the choices available to people needing care and support services, and help them make good use of their money by providing services on a paid, barter or voluntary basis. They also provide an important source of local employment and demonstrate entrepreneurialism, innovation and creativity. This project is important because: o It will provide increased and wider offer of care and support services to those able to pay for their own care, or are in receipt of a direct payment who wish to purchase their own services. o It will make the option of a Direct Payment more attractive as it seeks to increase the delivery of local services on offer. It will also support people with a Personal Health Budget as it will ensure there is better choice of provision. o Sustainable personalisation of adult social care is dependent on developing a greater choice of providers, for ...