Universal Carer's Support Service contract award - Somerset County ...

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(Cabinet Member Decision – 10 July 2012)give feedback on the proposed Somerset Offer to Carers based around GPfederation areas (August – December 2011)3.3 A Bidders’ Briefing event was held on 16 March 2012, this enabled bidders toseek clarification relating to the requirements of this tender. Additionally, bidderswere also able to submit written questions until 23 April 2012. Answers werecirculated to all bidders.4. Implications4.1. Access:The new service will be countywide and take into account the geography ofSomerset and the needs of individual clients. The service will have a singlereferral point which will help ensure that individuals are able to access the mostappropriate type of support as quickly as possible.The service will be promoted as widely as possible, and in a variety of formats,to help ensure that there is a high level of awareness of the service, both amongservice users and also the organisations who can offer a signposting role tocarers.4.2. Equality and diversity:Carers are identified as a special group in the Equalities Act 2010.The Carers Support Service will be available for people from all ethnic/culturalbackgrounds, and for all groups with protected characteristics.The impact assessment considers equality and diversity implications in fulldetail.4.3. Human rights:The Human Rights 1998 Act prohibits public authorities from acting in a way,which is incompatible with the Convention on Human Rights.There are no identified Human rights issues within this decision that SomersetCounty Council is not meeting it’s obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998.4.4. Health & well-being:Carers are recognised in the Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2011as a group for whom there are health inequalities.Supporting Carers in GP Practices (2011) cites research that:• Up to 40% of carers experience psychological distress or depression• Carers have an increased rate of physical health problems• One in five gives up work to care• More than half fall into debt as a result of caringCarers often neglect their own healthcare needs and in many cases it is only amatter of time before they become ill. By working closely with GP carerschampions to identify carers this service will support carers to look after theirown health and ensure that they receive the right support to stay healthy,maintain a life of their own and continue caring.6
(Cabinet Member Decision – 10 July 2012)4.5. Sustainability:To support a sustainable service, the Strategic Service Partnership Agreementfor the management of the pooled fund for the provision of the Carers SupportService is for six years.4.6. Freedom of information/data protection issues:This extensive programme will include significant exchanges of personal andsensitive data across a number of agencies including GPs, NHS SCC and theservice Provider. There are privacy impacts for the sharing of information heldby SCC and for the sharing of medical information held by GPs and the NHS.Recent experience with the NHS has shown that these agreements are notstraightforward and have issues and risks for both ICT and InformationGovernance.Any new commissioning of external organisations or changes to workingpractice must ensure that they are set up in accordance with the provisions ofthe Data Protection Act and associated guidance.A sharing of information protocol forms part of the contract and details theobligations on the service purchaser and the service provider and theiremployees, advisers and subcontractors.4.7. Performance Risks:There are several possible risks to performance in implementing this newservice:1. This is a completely new service, with a new service specification.Demand for the service is unknown, although it is estimated bycommissioners that there is a large number of carers currently notidentified and receiving services. This could lead to capacity issues.2. Performance of the Provider is dependent on good working relationshipwith statutory services and other local voluntary and community groupsdelivering carer support both now and in the futureThese risks can be mitigated by Bidder A adopting a thorough implementationplan, and by the lead commissioner following robust contract managementprocesses.4.8. Legal Risks:The service has been tendered in accordance with Public Contract Regulations2006 and contract standing orders. There is always a risk of challenge in anytender process; however, this has been mitigated as far as possible throughfollowing a comprehensive procurement process as outlined in the confidentialtender evaluation report.4.9. Communication considerations:Clear communication about the new service will be critical and acommunications plan will be a key aspect of Bidder A’s implementation plan.5. Background papers5.1. Corporate Director, Non Key Decision Report to Proceed to Tender by VivStreeter December 2011 (Appendix B)7
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