Stakeholders representation services

Tender description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) serves to alert interested parties to the Scottish Governments intention to establish an Advocacy Service for the Scottish Social Security system. The proposed procurement seeks to explore the market options for the provision of an advocacy service to support disabled people with the Scottish social security system It should be noted that the applicants will include individuals with accessibility needs, and these must be considered fully when designing the service. Advocacy is the provision of support to allow an individual to be fully involved in a decision making process and to ensure that they feel their voice has been heard. Advocates cannot be an individual’s supporter, guardian or appointee Services will be required to provide individual [instructed] advocacy to disabled people, who because of their disability need support with the Scottish social security system. Advocacy support will need to be available to individuals across Scotland on a consistent basis. Advocacy services will operate independently from Scottish Ministers though Scottish Ministers will receive evaluations and reports on the delivery of the service. Support may be provided by independent, stand-alone organisations or they may provide advocacy as one of a range of complementary services, such as information and advice. Services must be provided from accessible premises or from other buildings agreed with the individual. This may include the person’s home. Services should also offer support through other methods, eg telephone, on-line. However, the majority of support is likely to be [face to face] [in person]. Each person’s communication requirements will need to be met and will need to be identified by services in discussion with the service user. The Scottish Government is developing service standards for social security advocacy and funded services will be required to work towards these. The draft service standards will be subject to public consultation later in the spring.