Provision of Sensory Service in Halton

In Halton, we currently have three sensory support services which are delivered by three different providers. These include a support service for people with vision impairments, a service to the D/deaf community and those with acquired deafness, and an in-house vision rehabilitation service.

Halton Borough Council is seeking to appoint accredited organisations for the provision of an integrated Sensory Support service. The service will support individuals who have a range of issues relating to sensory impairment, and will also provide support to their families and/or carers.

The service will be delivered in partnership with Halton Borough Council. Although the in-house vision rehabilitation service is not being tendered as part of this commission, this service will be managed and delivered as part of the integrated Sensory Support service. This should be factored into the quality questions and included within the organisational structure.

During 2016/17 current services provided the following:

• Over 2,300 contacts via telephone calls, home visits and outreach support
• Registered approximately 270 as blind or severely sight impaired
• Registered over 450 people as partially sighted or sight impaired
• Approximately 400 equipment assessments undertaken
• Training and awareness sessions
• Support, social and activity groups

Bidders will need to demonstrate a proven track record in providing services to people with sensory impairments. They will be required to demonstrate within the Quality Questions that they are capable of meeting the service specification and quality standards required by the Council. Service Providers must show how they can deliver services to a Council defined quality standard in full partnership with the Council, service user, carers and other agencies.

The contract will run for a 3 year period, with the option to extend for a further two x 12 months periods.