Re-opening of the Flexible Framework for the Provision of Care at Home for Adults and Older People

Concepts

• health and social work
• glenrothes
• external care providers
• home service
• older people
• young people
• social care partnership
• home providers
• home
• new care

Location

Fife

Description

The Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (“the Partnership”/H&SCP) requires to commission a Care at Home Service from a variety of external care providers. Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to personalisation and outcome-based services for individuals of all ages and abilities and is seeking to appoint a range of partner organisations to deliver outcome focused support to young people, adults and older people with a range of identified support needs throughout Fife, under a flexible Framework agreement. This Framework commenced on 1st June 2023, and is being re-opened to allow new Care at Home Providers to bid for a place on the Framework.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (“the Partnership”/H&SCP) requires to commission a Care at Home Service from a variety of external care providers. Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to personalisation and outcome-based services for individuals of all ages and abilities and is seeking to appoint a range of partner organisations to deliver outcome focused support to young people, adults and older people with a range of identified support needs throughout Fife, under a flexible Framework agreement. Any partner organisations must be able to demonstrate experience and commitment to innovatively work with individuals within existing self-directed support policies and approaches. They must also evidence strong skills in working with families of individuals. Objectives for the Framework are to ensure that individuals have access to support that aspires to the highest level of quality and promotes the right of each individual to direct their own support. Key elements of success from desirable organisations include robust evidence of promoting and delivering: - personal preferences - fluctuating levels of required support - an organic service to reflect individual’s achievement of outcomes -continuity and consistency in provision of individual outcome focussed support - creative approaches that ensure outcomes are developed which promote ordinary lives - innovative combinations of natural, paid and technological support - support that enables and supports approaches to risk The Provider will provide practical and personal care over 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to the Supported Person living in their own home and will be in line with the service aims and objectives specified within this document. The purpose of the Service Specification is to set out the minimum standards required to ensure that a consistent quality of service is provided to all Supported Persons who are assessed by the Partnership as requiring a Care at Home Service.

Renewal Options

The contract will be for the period of 3 years from 01/06/2023 with the option to extend for up to 12 months if required. It is estimated that Providers awarded a place on the framework at this re-opening will join the Framework from 01/03/2024. Fife Council may require additional purchases under this contract which have not been specifically detailed in the "specification" however any additional purchases will be in full accordance with the requirements of Regulation 72 of the Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

CPV Codes

• 85000000 - Health and social work services
• 85300000 - Social work and related services
• 85310000 - Social work services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• This is a recurring contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Professional qualifications are sought.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information

This Framework will be a flexible Framework which re-opens at regular periods throughout the lifetime of the Contract. This is th first re-opening period. Tenderers should note that to improve the Tender completion and evaluation processes, the Tender Document (TN2) has been changed aesthetically, however the content is still the same, as the information that was originally requested in the appendices have been reviewed and now sits either within the body of the tender (quality questions) or the T&Cs. Providers already awarded a place on the Care at Home Framework (SC0005) are NOT required to re-submit a Tender. Please note this requirement is NOT for Supported Living, this has been advertised under a separate Contract Notice (SC0026) NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=751706. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason: Sub-Contracting is not permitted. The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason: Community Benefits have not previously been sought for these services (apart from recent mini competitions which have been held for supported Living requirements) as to date they have been deemed to be delivering a Community Benefit in themselves:  The previous PSR states “by their nature the services provided under this Contract continually benefit members of the community.  In addition, many of the providers in the market are local companies employing local carers.” Community Benefits have been considered for this procurement but have not been deemed as appropriate therefore will not be requested for the following reasons: Community benefits are often encouraged to be around generating employment and training opportunities however it is well documented that the Care Sector is experiencing issues in recruiting and retaining staff and it is felt that this would add additional pressures. Traditionally, wider communities offer support to Care Providers in the form of volunteers, fundraising etc. which is the opposite to Care Providers offering additional benefits to the community. It is felt that asking for other community benefits would place a disproportionate burden on the Providers at a time when they are already dealing with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, EU Exit and the Cost-of-Living Crisis. A recent article published on the Scottish Care website The straw that breaks the back of care outlines the current challenges that Care Homes are experiencing with many unsure how they will be able to continue to operate with the crippling rising costs. For the reasons above and the fact that the pricing is fixed for this Contract rebates will not be sought. (SC Ref:751706) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=751706