The Authority invites responses from suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver a (non-clinical) Keyworker Service for children and young people with a diagnosed learning disability and / or autism, from 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2025.
Hereafter all references to the Authority incorporates: NHS Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) (as Coordinating Commissioner), NHS Basildon & Brentwood CCG, NHS Southend CCG, NHS Mid Essex CCG, NHS Thurrock CCG, NHS North East Essex CCG and NHS West Essex CCG. (Please note, as of the 1st July 2022, the seven aforementioned CCG's will transition into three separate Integrated Care Boards (ICB's) namely; NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, Mid and South Essex ICB and Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, which will be named as the Contracting Authorities in any future Contract Award Notices associated with this procurement.
The aggregate value of the contract over the 30 months term is £2,483,405 excluding VAT (£2,980,086 including VAT), which will act as an affordability envelope for the purposes of bidding. Any bids received in excess of such affordability envelope will be rejected as non-compliant.
Further information can be found at sections II.2.4, II.2.14 and VI.3 and within the Procurement documents.
The Authority invites responses from suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver a (non-clinical) Keyworker Service from 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2025.
The Keyworker Service for Southend, Essex & Thurrock is a local and direct response to the NHS Long Term Plan commitment that by 2023/24, C&YP with learning disabilities, autism, or both with the most complex needs will have a designated Keyworker. Initially, Keyworker support will be provided to C&YP who are at risk of being admitted to hospital (or whom are already inpatients), but it is envisaged that support will also be extended to those who face multiple vulnerabilities such as looked after and adopted children, and C&YP in transition between services. The service will aim to reduce the risk of unnecessary/avoidable hospital admissions or other forms of institutional care; expedite the safe and timely discharge when admissions are necessary; and enable more C&YP to safely remain within their own community. The Service will achieve this through having a Keyworker assigned to each eligible child, young person and their family who can build an established and trusted relationship in order to advocate for that individual and their needs, whilst simultaneously bringing about challenge and accountability within the system. The role of the Keyworker is fundamentally patient facing, whilst also working across the geographical footprint and alongside the services that operate within it. This is not a clinical service, and it is anticipated that organisations and employees within it are likely to span a wide variety of skill and expertise that will be applicable to the delivery of this function to ensure its success.
The Authority is looking to appoint a single Preferred Bidder to manage all aspects of the Service. As such, a Lotting Strategy is deemed inappropriate as it risks creation of unnecessary fragmentation and complexity. Accordingly, the service will be offered as a single contract awarded to a single Preferred Bidder (either as a lead provider in it's own right, as a such as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or consortium of providers, or in association with sub-contractors). Bidders will be required to confirm their Bidding Model including the legal form it takes. The Authority reserves the right to require members of any bidding group to assume a specific legal form if awarded the contract, if considered necessary for the satisfactory performance of the contract.
As per advice from NHSE, the contract to be entered into by the Authority and the Preferred Bidder for the procurement will be based on the NHS Terms and Conditions for the Provision of Services.
Further information can be found at sections II.2.14 and VI.3 and in the Procurement documents.