Young Carers' Support and Carers' Hub Services

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham would like to invite tenderers to bid for two crucial services for carers:

LOT1: Carers’ Hub

LOT2: Young Carers’ Support Service

Providers may either bid for LOT 1 or LOT 2 separately or both LOT 1 and LOT 2. Please note that all method statements questions must be answered fully when applying for one or both LOTS. The services will be delivered as two separate contracts.

Lot 1: Carers’ Hub

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) in partnership with the Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are seeking to commission a Carers’ Hub for adult carers. The Carers’ Hub will provide information, advice, signposting, screening and referral for formal assessment, and support the effective co-ordination of the support ‘offer’ to carers across universal and specialist services.

The provider will also help to identify hidden carers through a partnership approach with frontline staff across health, social care and other partners and will deliver the service in a flexible, person-centred manner. More information is available in the attached Invitation to Tender and Specification.

The contract will last for a period of two years with the option of one extension for one year. There is a budget ceiling of £150,000 for the Carers’ Hub in the first year. The budget for the service will be reduced by £20,000 after the first year as this will be used to deliver elements of the Carers’ Strategy as part of an invest to save model.

Lot 2: Young Carers’ Support Service

Service providers will be experienced in providing support services to young carers resident in Barking and Dagenham. The annual value of this lot is £41,500.

The appointed contractor is expected to help identify hidden young carers through local outreach, including those in inappropriate caring roles. The contractor is to provide appropriate assessment (including referral for statutory assessment where needed), and support to young carers in order that they may reach their full potential as they transition into adulthood. As well as internal provision, the contractor is expected to work in close partnership with the local authority and other partners to signpost young carers to appropriate, sustained, high quality support.

Primary outcomes for the service must include work around maintaining school attendance, attainment, positive mental, sexual and physical health, and post-16 engagement in education, employment and training.

It is the Council's intention to award the contract for a term of two years with an option for the Council to extend the contract for a further period of no more than one year (full contract term up to three years).

Additional information: Expressions of Interest

Interested organisations must demonstrate a past track record of experience in delivering similar services. Organisations should have a proven track record of innovation and high quality service delivery, and in particular the Council would like to see experience of delivering similar services.

You will need to demonstrate that the organisation has the capacity to develop services in partnership and respond to changes that are sought. Organisations must have extensive experience of managing change, working in close partnership with carers, cared for individuals, staff and commissioners.

In order to access and download the tender documentation please register at our e-Tendering portal – https://lbbd.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Instructions on how to access and register on the portal can be found here - http://www.screencast.com/t/OWZjMTRmOWQt

The deadline for the return of final tender submissions for both Lots is 2pm Friday 15 January 2016. Late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

If you wish to discuss, or require additional information about, Lot 1 – The Carers’ Hub please contact Arabjan Iqbal at arabjan.iqbal@lbbd.gov.uk or phone 020 8227 5731.

If you wish to discuss, or require additional information about, Lot 2 – Young Carers Support Service please contact Amisha Maisuria at amisha.maisuria@lbbd.gov.uk or phone 020 8227 3529.

The deadline for queries will close 2pm Friday 8 January 2016.

Commissioners will be holding a workshop with prospective tenderers on Wednesday 6 January 2016 at 10am in Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU. Please confirm your attendance at this event by contacting Arabjan Iqbal using the contact details above.