Health and social work services

Tender description

In preparation for a forthcoming procurement opportunity, Essex County Council would like to invite organisations to participate in a series of market engagement events for those interested in delivering children’s residential placements to children with disabilities and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The initial market engagement session is scheduled to take place on Thursday 24.1.2019 between 10:00 and 12:00 at a venue tbc. During this event, the Council will present an overview of the proposed referral mechanism and pricing matrix and providers will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas, views and suggestions for this service with commissioners and members of the project board. To reserve a space at this event please e-mail: rachel.horne@essex.gov.uk by 17:00 on Friday 18th January. The Council will publish details of the second market engagement event which is due to take place on Tuesday 19.3.2019 at 11:00 to 13:00 in due course. The Council intends to structure this procurement opportunity in 3 lots, the first of which is due to encompass the provision of residential placements for Children with Disabilities up to the age of 18. Providers will be required to support a range of needs, which may include but not be limited to: — children with physical and/or sensory needs, — children with social, emotional and mental health needs, — children with complex autism and/or learning disabilities Providers must also have the capacity to meet co-existing additional needs of these children, which may include health needs and/or challenging behaviour. Prospective candidates are advised that the scope of the lots for this procurement opportunity have yet to be finalised and the Council reserves the right to refine the scope of this lot following the market engagement event. The final scope of the lots will be published in the corresponding contract notice prior to the formal launch of this procurement opportunity. The Council intends to structure this procurement opportunity in 3 lots, the second of which is due to encompass the provision of support to children up to age 18 with emotional or behavioural needs. Providers will be required to tailor their support to cover the following needs: — a history of family or foster care breakdown, — being known to youth justice, — mental health needs, trauma or vulnerability. These young people may have additional vulnerabilities, including risk of gang involvement, substance misuse and/or Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). Prospective candidates are advised that the scope of the lots for this procurement opportunity have yet to be finalised and the Council reserves the right to refine the scope of this lot following the market engagement event. The final scope of the lots will be published in the corresponding contract notice prior to the formal launch of this procurement opportunity. At this stage, the Council intends to structure this procurement opportunity in 3 lots, the third of which is due to encompass the provision of placements for children or young person at short notice for a short-term period. This may be due to previous placements breaking down at short notice or because additional assessment and short-term support is required to identify a suitable long-term placement. Prospective candidates are advised that the scope of the lots for this procurement opportunity have yet to be finalised and the Council reserves the right to refine the scope of this lot following the market engagement event. The final scope of the lots will be publicised in the corresponding contract notice prior to the formal launch of this procurement activity.