2021-0233 Islington & Camden Integrated Advocacy Service

Concepts

• islington
• integrated advocacy service
• social work
• camden
• respective advocacy services
• camden advocacy service
• service users
• single advocacy service
• wider system of support services
• statutory advocacy

Location

London:

Description

The London Boroughs of Camden and Islington are proposing to recommission their respective advocacy services, currently known as the ‘Camden Advocacy Service’ in Camden and the ‘Single Advocacy Service’ in Islington. The aim is to procure one advocacy service for both boroughs, delivered through a single advocacy pathway. Islington and Camden are committed to work closely in partnership with the service throughout its contract lifetime to analyse and manage demand for statutory and non-statutory advocacy. The service will also develop relationships and work in partnership with the wider system of support services in Islington and Camden.

Total Quantity or Scope

Islington and Camden are seeking to provide an Integrated Advocacy Service [the Service] across their respective boroughs. This Service covers a number of statutory advocacy functions including Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Relevant Person’s Representatives, Independent Mental Health Advocacy, Independent Care Act Advocacy, Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy and Liberty Protection Safeguards. Additionally we are seeking to provide a non-statutory advocacy service to extend the provision of representative advocacy our boroughs to other service users and carers who could benefit from it, and to offer people a greater range of advocacy services than those included as statutory functions. See tender documentation for an outline of our expectations to this end. Additional information: The Service will support Islington and Camden in meeting their aims and objectives in ensuring that service users and carers are involved in decisions about their care and support. Islington and Camden aim to ensure that service users and carers understand how they can be involved, contribute, take part, and in some cases lead or direct processes relating to their receipt of health and social under responsible bodies’ statutory obligations. The elements of the service that relate to the delivery of statutory duties will be delivered to the standards and outcomes set out in the National Quality Performance Mark (v4 as of August 2018) for Independent Advocacy http://www.qualityadvocacy.org.uk/ . The Service will ensure that people who are entitled to statutory advocacy receive this service in a timely manner and enjoy continuity of support wherever possible as their circumstances change. Service users who do not meet eligibility criteria for statutory advocacy but still require support from an advocate should, where possible, receive a robust and empowering non-statutory advocacy offer from this service, or be signposted to a service that can best meet their specific needs and preferences. When providing statutory advocacy under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 and Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Service will at all times act in accordance with the relevant statutory guidance. High Level Service Outcomes • Service users and carers are supported to be as independent as possible through the delivery of advocacy services. • Service users and carers will be empowered to participate in decisions about their care and treatment. • Service users and carers who are unable to participate in decisions about their care or treatment still have their needs, views and wishes communicated to professionals making these decisions by the advocate. • Service users and carers understand their rights and are supported to exercise these rights. • Service users and carers entitled to statutory advocacy services are able to access advocacy regardless of any specific care and support needs they have. • Enable service users and carers to receive continuity of support as their needs change and if in the care of the Council but resident elsewhere that they can continue to receive advocacy coordinated by the Service. • Advocacy services are available to support people in a broad range of circumstances, beyond those specified in legislation where service users and carers would benefit from advocacy. • Service users and carers receive better healthcare through the provision of health advocacy. • More experienced and qualified advocates are trained and able to operate in the borough, including opportunities for people with lived experience to train as advocates.

Renewal Options

The contract period will be for 48 months from an estimated start date 01/10/2022 with option to extend up to a further 24 months, and an additional option to extend by a further 12 months.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

• This is a one-off contract (no recurrence)
• Renewals are available.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** To note, one 5% method statement question under the Co-production criterion has been prepared and will be evaluated by the panel alongside residents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Islington and Camden. Tenderers should be aware that we reserve the right to hold site visits and/or presentations and/or interviews during the tender process. Site visits and/or presentations and/or interviews will be for verification/clarification purposes of the written submission. We reserve the right to interview leading bidders.