Hearing Service - Social Care

The successful bidder (Provider) will deliver the Hearing Service - Social Care to those people who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing (including those with a dual sensory loss); aged 18 years and over (or 16 years and over where a young person is being supported through transition between Children's and Adult's services); resident in Cumbria; and be eligible for support as defined in the Care Act 2014.

People who are not Care Act eligible will be provided with assessment advice and signposting.

The Service consists of two main elements:

• Specialist Equipment Support (incorporating the Equipment Budget).
• Specialist Information, Advice and Support.

The aim of the Service is the provision of a 'one stop shop', to include a single point of access and outreach, for specialist equipment, information, advice and support for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people living across Cumbria. The key outcomes of the Service are to ensure that Service Users are:

• Supported to maintain their independence, and inclusion and participation within their local community;
• Given personalised information, advice and support to make informed choices in respect to their support, equipment or minor adaptation needs;
• Provided with Equipment or Minor Adaptations that meet their assessed eligible needs, and maximise communication with others;
• Supported to manage the use of any supplied Equipment;
• Treated with dignity and respect.

The Council is conducting a single procurement exercise for the award of two contracts; one contract for the area of Cumbria which will form Cumberland Council on 1st April 2023 and one contract for the area of Cumbria which will form Westmorland and Furness Council on 1st April 2023.This is in anticipated preparation for transition to the new Councils. More about Local Government Reorganisation is included in the section below. A list of the electoral wards that will form the new Local Authorities can be found at The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (legislation.gov.uk) and a map of wards can be found on https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ The Council is looking for a sole provider for both contracts (one for the Cumberland Area and one for the Westmorland & Furness area for the delivery of Hearing Service - Social Care. Bids for only one area will not be accepted.

It is expected that each of the contracts will transfer to their respective new authority, though it should be noted that Cumbria County Council cannot give any confirmation of this at this stage.