Advocacy Services In Essex

Essex are seeking to procure a provider to deliver Advocacy Services in Essex.

Bids are required to be returned by 9th January 2024 by 12:00pm.

Essex-wide Independent Statutory and Non-statutory Advocacy Service for eligible children, young people, and adults in Essex.

The contract length will be 5 years with an option to extend for a further two years and will deliver the following services:

Statutory Advocacy services · Independent Advocacy for Children and Young People - Building on Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Childrens Act, support is given to an individual to express views, wishes and feelings and to make and influence decisions about their lives including making complaints under s24D or s26 of the Childrens Act 1989. · Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) - support whilst undergoing a mental capacity assessment, or best interest decision. · Paid Relevant Person Representative (RPR) - An advocate who maintains contact, represents and supports in all matters relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) · Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) - An advocate who supports an individual with mental health care and treatment issues, and understanding their rights (Mental Health Act). · Independent Care Act Advocacy (ICAA) - An advocate who will support people to understand their rights under the Care Act and to be fully involved in a local authority assessment, care review, care and support planning or safeguarding process. · Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA) - Provides support to people who want to complain about their NHS care or treatment.

Non-statutory services: · Advocacy support for the parents of children undergoing an assessment for, or subject to, a Child in Need or Child Protection Plan · General Advocacy · Peer and Citizen Advocacy

We have allowed an additional 50% demand on IMHA and IMCA cases from year 1 of the contract. This money (and the associated value within the estimated value of the contract) may not become available if the legislative changes which may effect IMHA and IMCA demand do not come into force during the life of the contract. The potential increase in demand and therefore the associated increase in value is not guaranteed. Bidder's are advised that this potential increase in demand is not included within the pricing cap detailed in the Pricing Schedule and paragraph above of this Bidder Guidance. Any increases in capacity for IMHA and IMCA shall be dealt with in accordance with the terms of the Contract.

There is a ceiling price of £8.6m and a floor price of £7.2m for contract years 1 to 7 and bids that exceed or fall below these prices will be automatically disqualified from the process. There is a ceiling price of £5.8m and a floor price of £4.9m for contract years 1 to 5 and bids that exceed or fall below these prices will be automatically disqualified from the process.