Short Breaks for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism - Area of Eden district

A short break (sometimes referred to as respite) is a short term, temporary service for people who are usually supported in their own or the family home by a family member or friend who is not paid for their caring tasks. The short break is beneficial to both individuals and carers as it enables the carer to have a break from their caring responsibilities and enables the individual to have a break without the carer. Short breaks complement the range of services currently available to adults with a learning disability and or autism and carers and forms part of the range of options available to meet an individual's assessed needs. Short breaks can have a significant impact on an individual's independence and choice by contributing to the care and support elements which maintain people in their own homes and enable carers to continue caring. The aim of a short break is to enable personalised and quality informal care and support arrangements to be sustained. A key element of the short break offer is to support an individual to gain the skills they will need for greater independence. The required short break offer is not simply a passive one of care and support, the expectation is that the Service Provider will build the service on a progression model and actively support independence. The Council is seeking to develop a long-term strategic partnership with a provider/s that are: a) A sector leader in services supporting people with a learning disability and/or autism b) Has experience of providing accommodation based regulated short break services c) Has a deep understanding of the needs and wishes of people with a learning disability and/or autism (including those with high and additional needs and/or physical needs), access to significant expertise, and knowledge of evidence informed best practice. d) Has a reputable, responsive, and responsible employer committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a high quality and diverse workforce. e) Values led with a mission, purpose, and ethos aligned to those of the wider council; f) Able to add value to provision to enrich the Service offer for people, through attracting additional external funding. g) Financially sustainable with robust governance and assurance arrangements. h) Are committed to developing positive partnerships at local, regional, and national level to benefit individuals. Although the Council will award the contracts to a single provider or providers, lead provider sub-contracting consortia bids are also welcomed. The Council is seeking to commission an accessible Short Breaks service that can provide personal care and support for people with a learning disability and/or autism in Eden. The service provider/s will be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide care and any subsequent regulatory body for a period of 12 months before the commencement of the contract and must maintain registration with a 'Good' rating throughout the duration of the contr