Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) and Advocacy

For the avoidance of doubt this is not a Call for Competition - this is to initiate a soft market testing process. Commissioners from Staffordshire County Council are exploring the potential to create a single point of access for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) and Advocacy services for individuals across Staffordshire.

Commissioners are seeking to explore the potential for an integrated approach to the coordination and delivery of a range of statutory services outlined below. This is to include a single point of access that enables effective referral of individuals to the appropriate support or service required.

The services we are considering as part of the integrated approach are as follows: • Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) - All Age • Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and Paid Representatives - 16 years + • Independent Advocacy (Care Act) - 18 years + • Prison Advocacy - 18 years + • Provision of information and signposting services to help people find the right health and care service - a Healthwatch Staffordshire function - All Age • Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) - All Age The main purpose of the engagement is to consider how the above services across Staffordshire can be best provided in terms of geographical breakdown for the market to ensure service coverage, capacity, reliability, equality of access by all communities to achieve beneficial outcomes. If an integrated service model is pursued, commissioners will be seeking expressions of interest from providers to deliver the contract.

The provider may wish to develop partnership, consortium or sub-contracting arrangements across Staffordshire to achieve all outcomes and service delivery requirements within the Service Specification, some of which may require skills, networks, knowledge and capacity from partner organisations. This is an opportunity for you to have your say and return your suggestions to us so we can ascertain how the market would look at delivering the range of services in the most effective and efficient way.

This market testing exercise will provide an opportunity to obtain insight from providers who may be interested in providing Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) and Advocacy services. The estimated annual budget is up to £1,050,000.

To start the market engagement process, an event will be held to obtain feedback from interested providers to help shape the model and future provision. The event will take place on Thursday 9th February 2017 from 10 am to 1 pm.

The event will be held in the Main Hall, Kingston Centre, Entrust, Fairway, Stafford, ST16 3TW. A soft market testing questionnaire will also be made available with this Notice shortly for you to complete whether you are able to attend t