Decision details

A range of short break services for those  providing care and support to an adult with frailty/living with dementia are in the process of being recommissioned. The current configuration of services that provide short break services are in the final year of contractual agreement with the County Council. The intention is that provision will re-focus on the different needs of these carers across the county, following a period of lockdowns/pandemic.

Short Break Services for Family and Friends Carers will be part of a range of options that carers will be able to choose from and refer themselves into so as to gain a break. The services will usually be aimed at the ‘cared for person’ and include:

·         Regular activity based sessions away from the home environment e.g. outings or clubs that are based at a venue. Weekday, weekend or evening provision

·         One to one support at home and trips out

There may also be other services that involve the carer and cared for enjoying outings/activities together as carers value being out of the house as valuable respite from daily routine.

Following the Cabinet Member for Adult Services decision on the  commencement of a procurement process,  that will follow the principles of good outcomes, quality of service, value for money and additional social capital when evaluating tenders, the Director of Adults and Health will be asked to award the contract(s).

The Director of Adults and Health has approved the award of the following contracts for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for a period, or periods, of up to 2 years, with a maximum contract term of 5 years:

·         Lot 1 – Countywide Carer at Home Respite Services to be awarded to Carers Trust East Midlands (trading as TuVida) who submitted the most economically advantageous tender.

·         Lot 2 – Carer Away from Home Respite Service to be award to the following providers who submitted the most economically advantageous tenders:

·         Adur – Independent Lives

·         Arun – Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove

·         Chichester – Carers Trust East Midlands

·         Crawley – Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove

·         Horsham – Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove

·         Mid Sussex – Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove

·         Worthing – Guild Care

The contracts to commence on the 1 April 2023.

None.