Prior Information Notice(PIN)/Request for Information (RFI) for DHSC ASC WSSR Workforce support and improvement offer

Tender description

The Department of Health and Social Care ("The Authority") seeks Prior Information Notice (PIN) and Request for Information (RFI) to outline the Authority’s intention to seek views regarding the procurement of new Core Adult Social Care Workforce Support and Improvement Offer within its various packages. The Authority's intention is to procure all packages throughout the 2024/25 financial year. Within the current offer, there are six proposed activities, which we intend to group into four procurement packages.<br/><br/>To review our current offer, the department completed a sector engagement exercise, supplemented by responses to a workforce survey with over 2300 responses, to establish current workforce support activity available, exploring awareness, access and use, and assessing the potential impact and possible gaps and opportunities.<br/><br/>The aim of the RFI is to explore your views on a proposed future workforce support and improvement offer. Responses will help to shape the specification for potential competitive tender and build a tailored support and improvement offer that maximises impact. <br/><br/>This PIN/RFI is not a call for competition. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute an Invitation to Tender (ITT) or a promise to issue an ITT in the future. This RFI does not commit the Authority to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. <br/><br/>Further, the Authority is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The Authority will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future ITT, if any is issued. <br/><br/>The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Authority. <br/><br/>All the interested suppliers should register at: health.atamis.co.uk to apply for the opportunity. The Atamis reference no.to seek this RFI is C246236. For any Atamis queries email to: support-health@atamis.co.uk or via Helpdesk Phone: 0800 9956035<br/>The last day for RFI <br/>clarification questions is 19th feb 2024,1500 and RFI closing date is 23rd feb 15:00. Lot 1: This RFI seeks views on the four packages that may form part of a refreshed core workforce support and improvement offer. In December 2021, the government published ‘People at the Heart of Care: Adult Social Care Reform White Paper’ which outlined a 10-year vision for how we will transform support and care in England, and work “to build a workforce of the right size with the right skills to meet the growing need for care and support”. In April 2023, the government published ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’, outlining a clear plan on how to achieve this.<br/>The Authority wish to commission a core workforce support and improvement offer to compliment this ambition. <br/>There are six proposed activities, which we intend to group into four procurement packages. The six proposed activities are: <br/>1. Deliver the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) for newly qualified adult social workers (NQSWs)<br/>2. ASC System Leadership to Support Integration<br/>3. ASC leaders networking<br/>4. Nursing and nursing associates engagement<br/>5. Recruitment guidance and support<br/>6. Supporting innovation in social care recruitment<br/><br/>The Authority intends to use competitive tender procedure via PCR 2015 or relevant applicable law during the conduct of procurement exercise. It is anticipated that some or all of the procurement may come under the light-touch regime under PCR 2015 or relevant applicable law.<br/><br/>The contract duration of these procurements are mentioned in the RFI document. The Authority may extend the contract(s) at its sole discretion subjected to business approval and availability of funds.<br/><br/>Organisations should note that as this requirement would be replacing work delivered through an existing grant, TUPE may therefore apply.