Decision details

The Specialist Advocacy Service will support customers with significant communication difficulties to have a voice and express their needs and wishes. Customers will be supported to resolve issues and difficulties which would otherwise have a negative impact on their physical and mental well-being.  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. It acts as an effective shield to costly frontline services and supports customers to resolve issues and difficulties independently, or with the support of an advocate.

Following the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health’s decision, in October 2019 ( AH8 19/20) , to commence a competitive procurement exercise for a Specialist Advocacy Service, a robust open tender procurement process in compliance with West Sussex County Council Standing Orders on Procurement and Contracts has been undertaken.  The procurement attracted competitive bids which have been evaluated robustly on both technical and financial aspects.  Prior to commencement of evaluation, it was agreed that the contractor submitting the most economically advantageous tender would be recommended for award of the contract and a successful bidder has been identified.

The Executive Director Adults and Health seeks to award the contract to the successful bidder and to extend the contract, if appropriate, in accordance with the County Council’s Standing Orders on Procurement and Contracts, subject to this being affordable within the limits of planned budgets.

The Executive Director of Adults and Health approves the award of the contract to Impact Initiatives for the Specialist Advocacy Service in West Sussex for an initial period of three (3) years commencing on 1^st July 2020 with the option to extend for up to two further years, subject to approval.

None.