Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council are seeking to commission an Independent Statutory Advocacy Service that will cover the Cheshire footprint.
The Councils have identified the need for a strategic approach to the way advocacy is commissioned across Cheshire. This will enable a flexible, joined-up approach and ensure sufficient capacity to meet the demand for the service. It will also provide an improved Service User experience for those accessing statutory advocacy interventions.
The provision of an Independent Statutory Advocacy Service will provide support to eligible Service Users to access the following range of advocacy provision:
1) Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS); and any subsequent changes in legislation
2) Paid Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) role under DoLS; and any subsequent changes in legislation
3) Care Act Independent Advocacy under the Care Act 2014, and including Independent Advocacy for Prisoners under the Care Act 2014
4) Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
5) Continuing Healthcare Advocacy (CHC)
Bidders should express an interest in this opportunity and download all of the relevant documentation from the Chest system www.the-chest.org.uk reference DN568640.
The overall purpose of the Independent Statutory Advocacy Service is to offer a high quality, seamless statutory advocacy provision across the Administrative Area. The Service will build upon people’s strengths and abilities, maximising Service User involvement.
The Provider will deliver a single point of access for the range of statutory advocacy interventions, promoting a triage approach to ensure that Service Users are offered the most appropriate advocacy intervention to meet their eligible advocacy support needs. This will include the following:
• Maintaining a local Cheshire based service which understands and responds to local needs.
• Providing flexibility, enabling resources to be moved within the Service to meet increased demand for one type of advocacy provision
• Provision of a cost-effective service
• The Service will reflect the key principles of, recognising and utilising digital technology, promoting wellbeing, help to prevent reliance and dependency on care and support by maximising independence, encouraging participation and personal responsibility, promoting and raising awareness of the Independent Statutory Advocacy Service. Additionally, supporting the development of self-advocacy where possible
• People using the Service will be seen as active partners in decisions made about them, including in relation to their care and support, maximising service user involvement
• The Service will be (and will be seen to be) independent of the Councils and or it’s service partners as well as any other organisations which may participate in the assessment of individuals
The provision of an Independent Statutory Advocacy Service will provide support to eligible Service Users to access the following range of advocacy provision:
1) Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS); and any subsequent changes in legislation
2) Paid Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) role under DoLS; and any subsequent changes in legislation
3) Care Act Independent Advocacy under the Care Act 2014, and including Independent Advocacy for Prisoners under the Care Act 2014
4) Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
5) Continuing Healthcare Advocacy (CHC)