Carers Support Services

This Tender is for 2 Contracts/Lots: Lot 1 Young Adults/Adult Carers Support Service covering 18+ years of age with Adult Social Care being responsible for the statutory Care Act assessments. Lot 2 Young Carers Assessment and Support Service covering 5 to 18 years of age with the Service Provider carrying out the young carers statutory needs assessments. Bidders may bid for, and win, one or both of the Contracts/Lots. Suppliers will be required to express interest in this opportunity on the NEPO ProContract system. If not already registered on ProContract please register at the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com. Suppliers will then be granted access to the tender documentation. Please note that registering on ProContract and expressing interest does not mean that you have bid for the tender - once the above steps are complete you will be required to complete and submit the tender documentation.

Additional information: The dates stated reflect the initial 3 year contract duration. There is also the option for 2 x 12 month extension periods, and the potential value reflects this.

BACKGROUND

3.1 The Care Act 2014 places several statutory duties on local authorities. The Act fully recognises the role of carers, their need for support and their need for a life beyond caring, including paying attention to employment.

3.2 The Children and Families Act 2014 gives young carers and young adult carers in England a right to a carer's assessment and to have their needs met (if the assessment shows this is needed). The Care Act and the Children and Families Act should work together to make sure the needs of the whole family are met and inappropriate or excessive caring by young carers is prevented or reduced.

3.3 In South Tyneside, supporting carers is directly aligned to the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The outcomes developed within the Strategy are embedded throughout the 5-year Delivery Plan of the recently refreshed South Tyneside Carers Strategy

3.4 The development of the Carers Strategy (2022-27) is firmly underpinned by extensive engagement and co-production with carers, the cared for, Council and NHS services, and all other stakeholders including the Private and Third sectors.

3.5 Following extensive engagement/consultation with carers, professionals and stakeholders, a review of the Model was undertaken by Joint Commissioning.

3.6 See below current activity data:

Adults

• There are approx. 1200 adult carers currently either receiving support or registered.
• On average, approx. 14 adult carers are registered each month.

Young Carers

• There are approx. 500 young carers currently receiving support or registered.
• On average, approx. 14 young carers are registered each month.

3.7 The core elements of the Review, which have driven our recommissioning intentions, are:

• Young Adult Carers in South Tyneside are underrepresented throughout both services. Transitions are problematic due to the lack of cohesion between services.
• The Young Carers Service would be more efficiently placed focussing solely on under 18s, with the Adults' provision being responsible for carers aged 18+, ensuring a relevant service offer for all adult carers focusing on prevention.
• Additionally, a pro-active approach is required to identify carers within all communities, ensuring an equitable offer across the board.

3.8 The Council are seeking to procure the following services:

• A Young Carers Assessment and Support Service covering aged 5-18 years with the responsibility of conducting statutory young carers needs assessments. Additional information: The contract dates reflect the initial 3 year contract duration. The value reflects the potential 5 year duration if the extension periods are taken.

2 extension option(s) available, 0 taken; up to 24 months in total