Provision of All-Age Carers Support Service

Descriptions

Southend-on-Sea is looking to appoint a suitable supplier to deliver an All-age Carers Support Service.

Overview:

The contract aims to commission a comprehensive support service for unpaid carers of all ages, providing them with timely information, advice, practical and emotional support, respite options, and advocacy.

The service must be accessible, inclusive, co-produced with carers, and responsive to their diverse and changing needs. Outcomes include improved carer wellbeing, resilience, and access to support at different points in their caring journey. Stakeholders include carers, local VCSEs, local businesses, health partners, and Adult Social Care.

Complexity includes aligning delivery across all age groups and ensuring digital and face-to-face access.

Scope of Service:

The All-age Carers Support service covers the following services:

• Early identification

• Information and advice

• Statutory carers assessments

• Carer ID cards

• Personal Budget

• Peer support

• Carers breaks

• Young carers

• Transition support

• Ad hoc appointment breaks

• Advocacy for carers

Access and Delivery:

The Carers Support Service will provide face-to-face support and be available a minimum of five days a week on a flexible basis, including weekend availability to ensure working carers can access support. The service must be accessible to all carers, including those who work or have limited availability due to their caring responsibilities.

The service will not operate from a fixed physical base but will instead deliver support from community hubs and other accessible venues across Southend-on-Sea.

Where appropriate, the provider is expected to also offer home visits, including to carers living in their own homes or in settings such as care homes or supported accommodation.

The referral process and all ongoing communication must be designed to be simple, timely, and user-friendly, ensuring easy access for carers and professionals making referrals on their behalf.

Local Government Reform / Devolution:

The contracting authority is Southend-on-Sea City Council and any Successor Body meaning one or more entities which assumes any of the Council's functions (as applicable) as a result of Local Government Reform (LGR). Such successor body or bodies may be, without limitation, a local authority, a combined county authority, a strategic authority or any other status determined pursuant to the Devolution and LGR Legislation.