Carers Information Advice, Assessment and Support Service

The Council and its partners highly value the contribution family and friend Carers make in supporting the most vulnerable in our community. The Council is therefore seeking to commission a new comprehensive county wide Carers Information, Advice, Assessment and Support Service. A Carer is someone who helps another person, usually a relative or friend, in their day-to-day life. This is different from someone who provides care professionally, or through a voluntary organisation.

The purpose of the service is to empower Carers through providing excellent information/knowledge and support their wellbeing. The approach is to be:

1. Strengths based
1. Outcomes focused and using
1. Community assets. (A single point of access but neighbourhood delivery).

The Council requires the Service Provider to maintain, develop and deliver non-discriminatory Carers services and assessments in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and all relevant regulations, guidance and relevant West Sussex County Council policy. The Service Provider will be a member of the Carers Trust and must meet, or be working towards meeting, all of the quality standards set by them.

The Council requires the Service Provider to deliver, as part of its operating model, economic and social benefits to the county via 'Social Value' (The Public Services Act (Social Value) Act 2012) e.g. through significant use of volunteering, training and for example, employment of Carers or ex-Carers; being a 'Carer Friendly' employer.

Full details of the services required can be found at Document 02 the Service Specification. This includes a substantive list of all the aims, outcomes, and requirements that will make up the provision of these services.