Decision details

A contract for the provision of a specialist community advocacy service to support adults with physical or sensory impairment, acquired brain injury, autism or a learning disability was extended for 12 months until 30^th June 2020. This extension enabled a review of the service and customer engagement.

This advocacy service is a component part of the People services prevention strategy which is designed to support demand management and delivery of value for money.

 The review, completed at the end of July 2019, has evidenced that the service enables the Council to meet its statutory duties in relation to supporting the most vulnerable people, particularly those with communication difficulties. People with these protected characteristics face challenges in many areas of everyday life and without advocacy support, struggle to communicate their wishes and needs.

The new service would start on 1^st July 2020 for a period of 3 years plus the option of extending for a further 2 years. The total cost of the service over the maximum service length is £1.2m

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health is asked to approve the commencement of a procurement process to source a specialist advocacy service and delegate the authority to award the contract to the Executive Director People Services.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health has approved;

1)   the commencement of a procurement process to source a specialist advocacy service;

2)   the new service would start on 1^st July 2020 for a period of 3 years with the option of extending for a further 2 years, to a maximum of 5 years; and

3)   the delegation of authority to award the contract to the Executive Director People Services.

None.