Appropriate Adult

Tender description

The purpose of this PIN is to inform the market of a future opportunity for the Appropriate Adult Contract and to engage the market in consultation. The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on local authorities to provide Appropriate Adult Services on a statutory basis, to support vulnerable adults aged 16 years old and over. The role of an Appropriate Adult is primarily to facilitate communication during police procedures between the police and vulnerable adults aged 16 and over who have communication difficulties as a result of a mental disorder. This also applies to designated officers of the specific agencies detailed in Section 42 (3) of the 2016 Act. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility for the delivery of Appropriate Adult Services and associated training. This service is currently provided as part of Glasgow & Partners Emergency Social Work Service (G&PESWS). However, legislation makes provision to commission this statutory duty. Glasgow City Council currently delivers this service in Glasgow City and across East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire. Lot 1: Glasgow City Council will be seeking a provider to deliver these services flexibly across Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, according to demand. The service requires to be available each day of the year, 24 hours a day. At present referrals predominantly are made directly by the Police and delivery of service takes place in a range of locations including, but not limited to, Police stations, various health settings and victims’ homes. The service will be paid on a cost and volume basis. The length of contract is currently under review and the current annual budget for the six local authorities is 218,000.00 GBP per annum. The final budget and contract term will be published within the contract notice and procurement documents. Anticipated demand for the service will be discussed during the engagement event. The Appropriate Adult will facilitate effective communication as per Section 42 (3) of 2016 Act and the 2019 regulations have extended this to include support at any stage during a police investigation for witnesses, victims, suspect or accused of committing an offense. An Appropriate Adult is a person with prior experience (either in a professional or Voluntary personal capacity) of working with adults who have a mental illness, personality disorder, learning disability or related condition. The Appropriate Adult role is independent of Police Officers involved in any interview and, as such the Appropriate Adult cannot be either a Police Officer or an employee of Police Scotland. The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 defines a mental disorder as ‘any mental illness, personality disorder, learning disability however caused or manifested’. This includes those with acquired brain injury, autistic spectrum disorder and people of all ages affected by dementia. Additional information: The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is currently under review and the definition of mental disorder maybe subject to change.