Decision details

Re-commissioning and procurement: Statutory Advocacy Services AS4 (24/25)

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Adults Services (Cllr Amanda Jupp)

Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The term advocacy is used to describe the support given to individuals to allow their voice to be heard and their wishes to be expressed in situations where they may be unable to do this fully by themselves. Advocates and advocacy providers work in partnership with the people they support and promote social inclusion and equality. Statutory advocacy supports people who due to a disability, health condition, communication difficulty, financial circumstances or social attitudes, find themselves in a position where their ability to exercise choice or represent their own interests is limited, or where processes are particularly complex to navigate, such as social care and health pathways.

 

There are statutory duties for the following advocacy provision:

 

·       Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) and Relevant Paid Person’s Representative (RPPR) under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

 

·       Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) under the Mental Health Act 2007

 

·       Independent Care Act Advocacy (ICAA) under the Care Act 2014

 

The contract for the current service was jointly commissioned in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and the NHS, the contract was extended in March 2023, Key decision OKD65 (22/23), and comes to an end on 30th June 2025. Brighton & Hove City Council are the lead commissioner for the partnership arrangement. The County Council intends to seek agreement from the Cabinet Member for Adults Services for a future partnership arrangement for these services.

 

Decision:

The Cabinet member for Adults Services has approved West Sussex County Council (WSCC) joining the Sussex Advocacy Partnership procurement of a new Integrated Advocacy Services contract from July 2025 – June 2032 with Brighton & Hove City Council (B&HCC) acting as the lead commissioner and contract manager. The arrangement will include the procurement and contract award by B&HCC of ICAA, IMCA and RPPR services for West Sussex residents on behalf of WSCC at a cost of not more than £0.369m per annum; £2.583m for the maximum contract term.

 

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Publication date: 24/10/2024

Date of decision: 24/10/2024

Date comes into force if not called in: 05/11/2024

Call-in deadline date: 04/11/2024

Accompanying Documents: