Pan Disability Independent Professional Advocacy Service in Neath Port Talbot Unitary Authority Area

Descriptions

Tenders are invited from suitably experienced and/or capable providers for a Pan Disability Independent Professional Advocacy Service (IPA Service) for the Neath Port Talbot unitary authority area.Service Aim:-The Service will deliver an IPA Service in the Neath Port Talbot area that:1.is issues based, truly pan-disability and can represent the spectrum of individuals that may need support under Part 10 Code of Practice (Advocacy) of the Act. For the avoidance of doubt, these individuals or Service Users may be people who are considered to be, for example:•An older person;•A person with a mental health need;•A person with a learning disability;•People who will have a physical disability;•Parents of children who’s circumstances fall under Part 10 of the Act;•There may be more;2.provides impartial advice and assistance by way of representation of otherwise to individuals who have difficulty in expressing their views for purposes relating to their Care and Support needs where an individual can only overcome the barrier(s) to participate fully in the assessment, care and support planning, review, safeguarding processes with assistance from an appropriate individual, and there are no other individuals available who can act on their behalf.3.notes that the Council has made separate arrangements for advocacy services to children who are specified under Section 178 of the Act (referred to as “entitled children”), though it should be noted that this Service will provide assistance by way of representation or otherwise to individuals who are considered parents of children or young people who are specified under Section 178 of the aforementioned Act and who intend to make an appeal or appeals under the Act in relation to their looked after children.4.will fully meet the requirements of the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark as promoted by the National Development Team for Inclusion Programme within a period of 12 months from the Commencement Date.5.is consistent with the National Outcomes Framework.6.should it be required at any time during Agreement Period, to meet the requirements of any Regulatory Standards required of the Service by Welsh Government through their regulator Care Inspectorate Wales and to change the Service so as to conform in every way to the requirements of both organisations around the implementation of change in the Service so that it may meet any such Regulatory Standards imposed on the Service by both organisations through legislation.7.Bidders should note that the Service may be expanded at some future time to elements of non-statutory IPA support where the type or types of support will be at the Council’s sole discretion.The service will also consist of identifying and/or developing a local advocacy provider network, that is, local advocacy providers who may be able to help should they not be eligible for the service as well and developing on a pan-disability basis an informal Peer Advocacy Network so that individuals may be best placed to support each other.TUPE may apply.The contract period shall be for two years from 01 May 2020 with an option to extend up to a further 24 months.There are no Lot requirements.NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=95196