SSD 22 03 Deaf Communication Support

Derbyshire County Council are inviting tenders for the provision of a Deaf Communication Support Service. Bidders should be experienced in delivering interpretation support services. The service will cover the whole of Derbyshire (excluding Derby City) and the contract length will be 5 years with the potential to extend for 3 additional years (max 8 years). The Contract budget will be £41,250 per annum.

A Light Touch Procurement Regime (LTR) will be used to evaluate and procure the successful provider. This allows councils to design procurement procedures and applies to health care, social care, education, cultural and certain other services.

The service will provide interpreting and communication support for people who are Deaf or Deafblind, including: BSL interpretation, Sign support English and Deaf relay, Deafblind communication techniques, Note taking and speech to text. Interpretation services will include face-to-face appointments or online appointments via video. The service will be expected to deliver 1000 hours of communication support per annum / approx. 225 appointments to support the service's existing clients base of 257 people plus any new clients. The service will also support Deaf / Deafblind people by providing information about local support and undertake engagement activities related to the development and delivery of the service. Where a separate department within the Council (outside of ASCH and Public Health) requests the use of interpretation services, the Provider will charge a fixed hourly service charges and issue invoices to the relevant department for the services.