Provision of a Pan Essex Keyworker Service for Children and Young People with a diagnosed learning disability and/or autism

Tender description

This is a Contract Award Notice to communicate a contract award for the services entitled' Pan Essex Keyworker Service for Children and Young People with a diagnosed learning disability and/or autism' - by the Contracting Authorities* to HCRG Care Services Limited. The Contract term is 30 months from 1st October 2022 – 31st March 2025 at an aggregate value of £2,421,320 excl. VAT. The Contracting Authorities* (ICB's) are publishing this Contract Award Notice in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended by The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020) for spend above £663,540. The Services in scope of this Contract Award Notice fall within social and other specific services within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended by The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020). The Contracting Authority does not intend to hold itself bound by any of the Regulations, save those applicable to Schedule 3 Services. *NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, Mid and South Essex ICB and Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB were formally known at the outset of this procurement as NHS Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) (as Coordinating Commissioner), NHS Basildon & Brentwood CCG, NHS Southend CCG, NHS Mid Essex CCG, NHS Thurrock CCG, NHS North East Essex CCG and NHS West Essex CCG. Lot 1: The Keyworker Service for Southend, Essex & Thurrock is a local and direct response to the NHS Long Term Plan commitment that by 2023/24, C&YP with learning disabilities, autism, or both with the most complex needs will have a designated Keyworker. Initially, Keyworker support will be provided to C&YP who are at risk of being admitted to hospital (or whom are already inpatients), but it is envisaged that support will also be extended to those who face multiple vulnerabilities such as looked after and adopted children, and C&YP in transition between services. The service will aim to reduce the risk of unnecessary/avoidable hospital admissions or other forms of institutional care; expedite the safe and timely discharge when admissions are necessary; and enable more C&YP to safely remain within their own community. The Service will achieve this through having a Keyworker assigned to each eligible child, young person and their family who can build an established and trusted relationship in order to advocate for that individual and their needs, whilst simultaneously bringing about challenge and accountability within the system. The role of the Keyworker is fundamentally patient facing, whilst also working across the geographical footprint and alongside the services that operate within it. This is not a clinical service, and it is anticipated that organisations and employees within it are likely to span a wide variety of skill and expertise that will be applicable to the delivery of this function to ensure its success. The Authority has appointed a single Preferred Bidder to manage all aspects of the Service as indicated within the Contract Notice. The contract entered into by the Authority and the Preferred Bidder for the procurement is based on the NHS Terms and Conditions for the Provision of Services.