United Kingdom-Stretford: Health and social work services

'Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (The Council) is planning to bring together a range of Independent Advocacy Casework functions in Stockport to create an Independent Advocacy Casework Hub. This document outlines the service to be offered, and will form a part of any contract or agreement that is drawn up with those who are contracted to provide the service. This development is taking place within the context of the Care Act 2014 and Stockport Council's Preventative Commissioning Strategy, which is described further within Part 2 of this document. Our Strategic Objectives The Council is seeking to work with organisations which share its values and can help achieve the following strategic values, which are to; 1. Create innovation and an asset based approach. 2. Improve value for money. 3. Intervene early and effectively. 4. Build capability and resilience in communities and empower individuals. 5. Maintain and improve well-being and health. 6. Increase levels of economic independence. 7. Enable independent living and self-care. 8. Enable co-ordinated and Integrated services. Summary of Service Requirements The new Advocacy Hub will bring together a range of Independent Advocacy Casework functions in Stockport and combine a range of statutory and non statutory provision. It will meet all statutory requirements on the Council for the provision of independent advocacy in relation to the following: Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 2007 (IMHA) Health and Social Care Act 2012 (NHS Complaints Advocacy) The service will offer professional, high-quality independent advocacy to Adults across all categories of need who are users of Adult Social Care or specialist health services. It is expected to support adults with more complex needs: including, for example, adults with learning disabilities, dementia, mental health needs, acquired brain injury, physical and sensory impairment, frail older people or carers facing very demanding or difficult circumstances. This will incorporate services offered to people who currently receive support in relation to Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA) and people requiring advocacy support in relation to the NHS Complaints Procedure and will be required to offer continued advocacy as required to those currently supported in relation to these services. The service will also go beyond the statutory minimum to offer an impartial advocacy casework service to those who need it most. The Advocacy Hub will not provide general advice and information: it will provide independent casework advocacy to people who have 'substantial difficulty' articulating or negotiating their needs and personal goals, particularly where there is no-one else available to assist them. It will not specialise in any particular 'client group' and it will be flexible enough to meet the needs of different groups of people. It will actively seek to add social value through the engagement of peers and volunteers, contributing to the development of communi