The Provision of Training for Carers where the Cared For Person is Living in the Dorset County Council Area

Dorset County Council wishes to purchase training courses for carers of people who live in the Dorset County Council area and who meet the criteria for being a carer. Dorset County Council Adult & Community Services Directorate employs carers caseworkers across the seven NHS Dorset CCG localities. The successful provider in this tender will work in partnership with these staff and accept instructions from them when arranging and providing training courses. Dorset County Council also works in partnership with NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to provide services to carers. The Care Act 2014 introduces two very significant changes to supporting carers. Firstly, The Act gives carers a right to an assessment, which must consider the impact on the carer of their caring responsibility. Secondly, The Act introduces a national minimum eligibility criteria for carers - for the first time putting carers on an equal footing with the cared for person. This service will provide training courses for carers who provide care for individuals (within their own environment). These may, for example, be family members or neighbours. Clause 10 (3) of The Care Act defines a carer as 'an adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult ('adult needing care'). However an adult is not to be regarded as a carer if the adult provides or intends to provide care under or by virtue or a contract or as voluntary work. Further information can be found in the Service Specification. The contract is to commence on 01 July 2015 and expire on 30 June 2017 (two years). There is the option to extend for a further period of up to two years. There is a maximum of £60,000.00 funding available per annum. During the initial two year contract period, the possibility of a pan Dorset offering will be explored as part of the Better Together project which would aim to provide a consistent offer to carers across Dorset. Any extension will therefore be dependent upon this, as well as continued availability of funding and performance of the Provider during the contract period.