NPT Parent Carers Service – Market Testing Exercise

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is considering future commissioning arrangements for a Parent Carers Service from 1 June 2027. The service provides parent carers of children with disabilities with access to carers' needs assessments in line with the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

Carers' assessments are a statutory requirement and remain a core function of the service. The service also provides Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA) and facilitates wider preventative support for parent carers.

The service is funded by Children and Young People Services and is specifically designed to support parent carers of children with disabilities. Support for other groups of carers (eg unpaid carers for adults who have disabilities) is commissioned through separate arrangements and is not within the scope of this market testing exercise.

The Council is undertaking a market testing exercise to better understand the market, explore potential future service models and gather feedback that will help inform future commissioning arrangements for the Parent Carers Service. Purpose of Market Testing The Council wishes to engage with organisations that may have experience of delivering carers assessments and IAA to parent carers of children with disabilities.

The purpose of the testing exercise is to: • understand the level of market interest in delivering this type of service; • better understand provider experience, capability and capacity; • inform future commissioning and procurement decisions; • identify opportunities and challenges associated with future service delivery; • support the Council's understanding of the wider provider market. Feedback gathered through this testing activity will help inform future planning and commissioning considerations.

Areas for Discussion A discussion paper containing further information and specific questions will be circulated in advance of the testing sessions Market Testing Sessions Individual sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Sessions will last up to one hour and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Joining instructions and the market testing discussion paper will be issued in advance of the session. Important Information This market testing exercise is being undertaken solely to inform the Council's understanding of the market and potential future commissioning options.

It does not constitute a call for competition, procurement exercise or commitment by the Council to undertake any future procurement activity. Any information gathered through this testing activity will be used to support future service planning and commissioning considerations. Participation in market testing will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in relation to any future procurement process.