Learning Disability and Autism Feasibility Study

Leeds City Council and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) request expressions of interest from Specialist providers of Learning Disability and autism services in providing a feasibility study for a specific case. The successful provider will be required to visit a person who has been detained in a secure hospital setting for a significant period of time. They remain in a secure inpatient setting and are nursed in isolation due to exceptional environmental damage and challenges related to autism.

As well as meeting with the person, the specialist autism provider would need to liaise with the current clinical team, care manager, and family to gather a picture of the current situation and to produce a written report advising on the following:

- Any observations, improvements or suggestions on sensory processing issues
- Any observations, improvements or suggestions on the current PBS situation
- Any observations, improvements or suggestions on the environmental specification
- Any observations, improvements or suggestions on the current care regime, structure and routine
- Any observations, improvements or suggestions on alternatives to the use of mechanical and physical restraint

The purpose of the feasibility study and production of a final report would be:-
a) To give guidance to commissioners on commissioning a specialist autism service to facilitate the person’s return to the community

b) To offer the current placement collaborative ideas and suggestions to enhance the person’s quality of life currently

“LCC are looking for autism specialist providers with a proven track record of:

• supporting exceptionally complex individuals with autism, learning disability and behaviours that challenge in a community based setting
• completing successful transitions of individuals with autism, learning disability and behaviours that challenge from institutional hospital care into a community based setting
• Leading in the delivery and assessment of Positive Behavioural Support
• Experience as Lead Practitioner in autism
• enhanced skills in intensive interaction
• knowledge and experience of developing and running bespoke tailor made individualised services to exceptionally complex individuals with autism, learning disability and behaviours that challenge in a community based setting
• Enhanced knowledge skills and experience of design and environmental features that can be adapted to the individual to facilitate Positive Behavioural Supports
• Translating autism knowledge, skills and theoretical approaches into robust individualised support plans to enable the successful support of complex individuals with autism, learning disability and behaviours that challenge in a community based setting

LCC and NHS CCG welcomes interested parties from all market sectors, including the Third Sector. The indicative cost of the feasibility study will be a maximum of £3k (to include travel and expenses.)

In the first instance, please confirm if your organisation is willing to express an interest in the above study (further information will be provided after the closing date of this notice) by expressing your interest via the messaging dialogue facility on YORtender by 12 noon 26 May 2020.

Thereafter, the organisations who expressed an interest in the study will be given access via YORtender to submit a bid. It is anticipated the actual study and final report will be no greater than 10 business days (further information to follow).

Please note – the feasibility study/final report will enable the Council and the CCG to devise a formal specification that will be published under an open and transparent procurement exercise mid to late summer 2020. The report will be shared with the market via YORtender prior to the publication of the tender documentation, to ensure all potential bidders are clear on the outcome of the feasibility study.