Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services

Renfrewshire Council currently has existing provision for Care at Home Services under the direction of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) which will expire in May/June 2025.

Renfrewshire Council is seeking to establish a multi-providers Flexible Framework Agreement (Flexible Framework) for the provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services. The Flexible Framework will be used by RHSCP and where necessary the Council to purchase services which will support predominantly older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible with the care and support they need being tailored to them and provided in a flexible manner.

The Flexible Framework will include both Options 2 and 3 of Self-Directed Support. It is anticipated that as far as possible, and where appropriate, all relevant existing care and support arrangements will transfer over to the Flexible Framework.

It is anticipated that the Flexible Framework will be for 4 years with the option to extend for up to 12 months on 3 occasions, subject to satisfactory operation and performance. The Flexible Framework is anticipated to commence on the 01 May 2025. This will allow RHSCP to arrange transfer of current care packages to the Flexible Framework where appropriate to do so, and to arrange new care packages under the Flexible Framework. The Flexible Framework is anticipated to expire on the 30 April 2029; should all extension options be taken, the end date will be the 30 April 2032.

In the event that the Flexible Framework does not start on 01 May 2025, the Flexible Framework will start on the Commencement Date as stated in the Letter of Acceptance. The length of any Individual Service Contract (ISC) made under this Flexible Framework will be stated in the relevant ISC. Please note an ISC may expire after the Flexible Framework End Date.

Tenderers should note there is no guaranteed level of spend for any ISC awarded under the Flexible Framework; there is also no guarantee of payment being made to a Provider solely by appointment to the Flexible Framework.

A flexible approach has been designed which will allow New Entrants to apply to be on the Flexible Framework.

PLEASE NOTE - The Supplier Development Programme will deliver a Talking Tenders webinar to support tenderers to use Public Contracts Scotland and Public Contracts Scotland - Tenders Portal. The webinar will take place on 08 January 2025 details here: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/renfrewshire-council-care-at-home-framework-1527/

Additional Minimum Requirements

Insurance

All Tenderers will be required to evidence as part of the tender process to obtain a place on the Flexible Framework the insurances outlined below (full details are listed within the Invitation to Tender).

i) Public Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each, and every claim. Liability must not exclude abuse and/or molestation cover.

ii) Employers’ Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each, and every claim.

iii) Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Liability Where a vehicle is used in delivery of the Service, statutory third-party motor vehicle cover should be evidenced by way of a valid MV certificate in the company name, OR where there is no company fleet and employees use their own vehicles instead, a letter signed by a person of appropriate authority confirming that the provider has ongoing arrangements in place to ensure that employees' vehicles are appropriately insured and maintained for business purposes.

iv) Professional Indemnity Where a Provider is employing any Staff who are professionally qualified in relation to the services of this Agreement, to a minimum indemnity of 2,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents), OR in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 5,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.

Where a Provider’s Services include the provision of care and treatment (including, but not limited to where the Service involves the administration of medicines) the Provider shall as a minimum, effect and maintain one of the following insurances and minimum levels of cover:

(a) A care and treatment extension to the existing public liability policy, to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP; (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one (1) period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.

(b) Where applicable, Medical Malpractice Liability Policy to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.