Advocacy Services - Generic Issue Based Advocacy Service (With Independent Advocacy) - AWARD

ADULT SERVICES TENDER: ITT038GENERIC FOR THE PROVISION OF: A GENERIC ISSUE BASED ADVOCACY SERVICE (INCLUDING INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY) Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council seeks to procure a professional generic issue based advocacy service to people who are resident or registered with a GP in the geographical boundaries of Sandwell M.B.C. This service will also be expected to deliver Independent Advocacy.

The purpose of the independent advocacy service is to provide advocacy support to those who have been referred by Sandwell Council and cannot fully engage with assessment, support planning or care review processes, and who do not have an appropriate adult to represent them. This Service is to provide Advocates for relevant people whom Sandwell Council have a responsibility for under the Care Act 2014.

The contract will be for a period of four years, and will commence on 1 April 2016. Suitably qualified and experienced persons and organisations are invited to express an interest in tendering for the above service.

The Council intends to use an evaluation model based on price and quality. The criteria, on which tenders will be evaluated, inclusive of weighting attached to each, will be included within the invitation to tender document.

The contracts mainly reflect services currently being provided by existing organisations, and therefore the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 may apply to this contract. David Stevens