Independent Mobility Assessments to determine eligibility for Blue Badges

Descriptions

The aim of the service is to determine entitlement to Blue Badges. The Service Provider will provide IMA's and make recommendations for eligibility against the statutory criteria and any local interpretations. This will be for physical disabilities, but the Council reserves the right to include hidden disabilities. The Council will undertake a pre-screening process. Applicants who are referred for an IMA will be: Those whose eligibility cannot be determined during pre-screening. Those who have been rejected for a Blue Badge but who have subsequently asked for this decision to be reviewed. Those who have been rejected for a Blue Badge following an IMA but who have subsequently asked for this decision to be reviewed and where a second IMA is determined to be required. In the circumstances in 5.2.3 it will be required that the Service Provider uses a different assessor to the one who carried out the first IMA. During this contract the Council may make changes to the pre-screening referred to in 5.2 which may result in a change to the number of IMA's needing to be carried out. The Council will undertake the booking of applicants who need an IMA into pre-arranged assessment 'clinics. The Council will also manage cancellations and rearrangements of appointments, should 2 working days' notice. Should this notice not be provided, it is expected that service provider contacts the applicants directly. Clinics will be arranged at two locations within Central Bedfordshire. The Council will meet any costs associated with the clinic locations and provide reception and waiting facilities for applicants. Clinics will take place in the following locations: Priory View, Church Street, Dunstable LU5 4HP Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, SG17 5TQ The council may increase, reduce or change the clinic locations during the contract period. The Council will make available the customer information through an online content management system (Sharepoint). The Service Provider will provide stand-in arrangements for all absences (planned or unplanned). If the Service Provider fails to provide the service for any clinics, for whatever reason, no fee for that clinic will be payable by the Council to the Service Provider. For further information regarding the project, please see Appendix 1 document within the tender pack.