Flexible Purchasing Framework for Social Care Supports

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) has been adapting the way in which individuals access support that meets their needs whilst promoting and maintaining their independence. We recognise that closer engagement with communities, families, carers and individuals we support is required: focussing on the assets and strengths that individuals and their communities already have; to transform the way we all collaborate, maximising the opportunity for individuals to live independent lives and achieve their full potential. Connecting individuals with their communities is a key objective of maximising independence, and access to health and social care support, when needed, can improve health and wellbeing and support individuals to become more resilient.

Self Directed Support (SDS) is a co-production and supportive process involving good conversations with individuals needing support. SDS, alongside other legislation and policies, is intended to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, and aims to ensure that care and support is delivered in a way that supports choice and control over one's own life and which respects individual's right to participate in society.

SDS applies across all ages, including unpaid carers and children ensuring:

• Disabled people have the same freedom and choices as others.
• People get the support they want, where and when they want it.
• People can get support at the right time, before a crisis or emergency happens.

Glasgow City Council has a statutory duty to assess care needs and establish eligibility for social care services under the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.The Flexible Purchasing Framework for Social Care Supports will be the mechanism through which the Council discharges its duties for SDS Options 2, 3, and aspects of option 4.

This is a multi supplier and multi lot unranked Framework and is was no limit to the number of providers that can be awarded to the Framework. The Framework is expected to run for four (4) years, commencing 1st February 2026 and ending on 31st January 2030.

The Council will have the option to extend the Framework for one or two consecutive periods, not exceeding twelve months in each case.

The Framework Agreement is based on Care Groups to deliver support to people:

-Older People over 65 yrs old and / or under 65 with early onset dementia.

-Adults Learning Disability - including people with learning disabilities and autism, people who have learning disabilities with a physical disability, or any combination of these.

-Adults Physical Disability - people who have a physical disability without a learning disability.

-Adults Mental Health - people with mental health and/or related conditions, including Huntington’s and people with neurodiversity who have no learning disability.

-Children and Young People with a disability.

The Framework Agreement also includes an additional requirement for when the Council determines needs cannot be met under one of the Care Groups above.

Bidders will be invited to submit their pricing schedule for the Categories of Support they are able to offer to help the Council achieve its aims and objectives to help individuals to live as independently as possible and to deliver on its statutory duties. These are:

-Care and support services (personal and non-personal care)

-Day opportunities/employability supports community based

-Day opportunities/employability supports building based

-Short Breaks community based

-Short Breaks building based (Children and Young People with a Disability only)

-Any additional supports offered by Providers including Technology Enabled Care and Support

GCHSCP concluded a review of the access to social work services in 2024 to ensure our approach is fair and equitable for those eligible for services. The GCHSCP eligibility criteria will focus on those with substantial and critical need.