Health and social work services

Tender description

Torbay Council has embarked on a new and locally experimental alliance model of commissioning services for complex adults. The scope includes drug and alcohol treatment services, domestic abuse and sexual violence services and supported housing. Because of the novel nature of commissioning and procuring these services, there are a number of aspects that are untested and therefore a comprehensive level of rigour needs to be applied to establish the process and requirements, including significant engagement with suppliers, service users and other key stakeholders. It was initially anticipated that any new service contracts would commence on 1 October 2020 and new short-term contracts were put in place with our existing providers, following publication of VEAT notice 2019/S 053-123016. Since March 2019 the Council has been working extensively with the market and other stakeholders to establish the Alliance principles and model. Whilst this work has been in progress a new Council administration has been put in place, resulting in a further period of consultation with elected members. This change in administration has impacted on timescales for decision making and agreement of budgets, which means we will be unable to achieve the planned start date of 1 October 2020. A revised timeline for the project was established, with the intention that the tender would be issued to the market in May 2020. To allow for the establishment of the alliance and development of the service delivery models a revised anticipated contract start date of 6 June 2021 was identified. It has now become apparent that the Council is unlikely to be able to meet this timescale due to the impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Key Council staff in the public health and adult social care teams, along with those organisations who would be bidding for this contract are at the frontline in responding to the emergency and therefore are unable to commit any resource to this work. It is essential that our current service providers, and others on the front-line, are supported to continue delivering services to our most vulnerable at this time. The Council has therefore taken the decision to defer the procurement until such time as there is sufficient capacity and resource available to allow for a robust process to be undertaken. We are expecting there will be a need to delay the commencement of the tender process by at least a further 6 months, to November 2020, with a view to service delivery commencing in December 2021. As a result Torbay council proposes to directly award contracts to its incumbent providers to ensure continuation of service and provide stability in the system until this innovative procurement is undertaken, as follows: • drugs and alcohol (Torbay and South Devon NHSFT), • Leonard Stocks Hostel Provision (Langley House Trust), • Torbay Domestic Abuse Services (Sanctuary Supported Living). These contracts are expected to be in place for a minimum of 15 months, but may be extended for a period of up to a further 6 months if the current emergency does not allow for commencement of the tender process within the timescales indicated above. Any extension beyond 15 months will be subject to available funding and internal approval processes. Drugs and alcohol services, to be provided by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust from 1 October 2020 to 5 December 2021, with potential for an extension of up to a further 6 months. Services will be delivered in accordance with the current contract and specification but may be subject to modification in order to enable the transition to an alliance approach. Drug and alcohol services are specialist treatment services that work with one of the most complex and risky groups in our community. They provide medical and psycho social interventions in accordance with national clinical standards and legal frameworks for those who are seeking support in addressing their substance misuse issues. Because of the significant risks these individuals may pose to themselves and others, the services need to provide a significant amount of complex and specialist support to enable the individuals to make progress in recovery. Homelessness services/hostel provision, to be provided by Langley House Trust from 1 October 2020 to 5 December 2021, with potential for extension of up to a further 6 months. Services will be delivered in accordance with the current contract and specification but may be subject to modification in order to enable the transition to an alliance approach. Leonard Stocks provided by Langley House Trust (Shekinah) deliver a support and housing management service to 24 people in the Leonard Stocks building. The client base are adults who are homeless and have a support need and local connection. This service seeks to engage individuals in breaking their cycle of homelessness and exclusion through the provision of person centred, recovery focused support. The ultimate aim is for an individual to move to, and maintain their own tenancy, engaging in community activities, and employment, training or education. Services for people experiencing domestic abuse, provided by Sanctuary Supported Living from 1 October 2020 to 5 December 2021, with potential for extension of up to a further 6 months. Services will be delivered in accordance with the current contract and specification but may be subject to modification in order to enable the transition to an alliance approach. Torbay Domestic Abuse Service delivers a range of services to people experiencing domestic violence and abuse aged 16 years and over. This includes 12 units of supported accommodation dispersed throughout Torbay, independent domestic violence advocacy, outreach support, and adults, children’s and voluntary community perpetrator programmes. Due to the nature of the client group this service provides specialist support around risk identification and safety planning, as well as more general support to enable individuals and their children to break the pattern of abuse.