Adult Social Care Prevention Programme for Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS)

<p>Wokingham Borough Council&rsquo;s Adult Social Care Strategy and Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy outline the importance of prevention services to prevent, reduce and delay residents&rsquo; need for formal care and support.</p>
<p>This procurement will deliver on Wokingham Borough Council&rsquo;s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy 2020-2025, specifically the priority to commission services in line with our strategic priorities that deliver quality and value for money. This supports the demand management of adult social care and injects increased funding to the sector.</p>
<p>Across Wokingham, there is a strong VCFS market able to support vulnerable adults as evidenced in the exceptional community response to the Covid 19 pandemic.&nbsp; This procurement will ensure security of funding for up to five years for VCS organisations working in the borough and reinvesting in prevention services to prevent, reduce and delay the need for statutory care services.</p>
<p>We are planning to initiate procurement in October with a view to having contracts in place by April 2022. The funding will be allocated across a wide range of prevention needs, following a competitive process. VCS organisations in the borough will be invited to bid either alone or in partnership to meet outcomes for residents in line with the Adult Social Care and Voluntary and Community Strategies. The scope of the prevention services will include some or all of the below:</p>
<ul>
<li>Voluntary sector advocacy service</li>
<li>Volunteer brokerage service</li>
<li>Provision of a generalist information, advice and support service</li>
<li>Mental health (wellbeing and mental health support service)</li>
<li>Healthwatch service for Wokingham Borough</li>
<li>Provision of support to the Indian community</li>
<li>Engagement and partnership for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Community</li>
<li>Carers Information, Advice &amp; Outreach Service</li>
<li>Young Carers</li>
<li>Provision of a Flexible Sitting Service for Carers</li>
<li>Provision of emergency respite and support service for carers ('Back me up')</li>
<li>Dementia prevention services</li>
<li>Provision of a handyperson service</li>
<li>Garden maintenance</li>
<li>Provision of service for people with MS</li>
<li>Provision of Home From Hospital service</li>
<li>Provision of a Home Visiting Service for visually impaired</li>
<li>Provision of support to people deaf / hearing impairment</li>
<li>Information and support for Autistic people</li>
<li>Provision of a learning disability self-advocacy service, including the management of the learning disability partnership board</li>
<li>Provision of support and promoting independence to people with mild learning disabilities</li>
<li>Provision of Information, Advice and support for people with Learning Disabilities, their families and carers</li>
<li>Social isolation (Friendship Alliance, provision of a befriending service).</li>
</ul>
<p>The Council reserves the right to edit and/or amend the above scope, following the market consultations and the procurement process. All proposals demonstrating a satisfactory delivery of the outcomes specified in the tender documents will be considered. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The funding is for three years from 1^st April 2022 with options to extend for a further two years.&nbsp; This will bring stability to the market and support the sustainability of many VCS organisations operating in the borough, which is a key priority of the VCS Strategy.</p>
<p>We would like to meet with all interested suppliers to understand their view on further improving and enhancing prevention services. Suppliers should express interest via ProContract, following which they will be contacted with additional information on the exact date, time and format of the session. The event will be held in the period 6-8^th October 2021 and the likely scope will include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Introduction of future plans for procurement of prevention services.</li>
<li>Discussion around any possible improvements &ndash; supplier&rsquo;s view.</li>
<li>Presentation on the process for setting up a supplier account on ProContract and applying/bidding for WBC opportunities.</li>
</ul>