18-019: Bespoke Personal Assistance Support Package

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) are inviting bids from a number of organisations who might be able to provide services that meet RMBC's current needs for Personal Assistant Needs. Organisations are expected to provide the service as per the specification detailed below:-

• Weekday support, in school and flexible support on weekends. This is equivalent to a total of 38 hours per week. This includes arriving at the carers' house for 8:30am and traveling to school in the taxi. At school, support is needed throughout the day, which may include school trips. In the afternoon the PA must travel back to the carers address and hand over to the evening carer. These hours are also required during the school holidays to support the child to engage with activities in activities such as the cinema, clubs and activities.

• Weekday support for the child's personal care. This is the equivalent to 15 hours per week and will increase the staffing ratio to 2:1. At present this personal care is provided at set times, three times a day.

• It is important that staff, are able to drive and have access to a vehicle.

• The current Personal Assistant works well and so we would like to explore with the successful provider whether we can use the current worker as part of the package to ensure continuity for the child.

• Personal Assistants must have experience of working well with a young person whom has complex needs. It is important that the Personal Assistants have an understanding of Autism, ADHD and its impact on child development.

• It is imperative that the child does not miss school as sick leave or annual leave are not covered, therefore the service provider will need to be confident that they can cover such at short notice.

• Flexibility and willingness to support the carers on trips away including overnights and weekend working.