2023 Social Care Self Directed Support and ISF Management Service

Concepts

• social work
• individual service fund management service
• aberdeen
• isf management service
• locally based service
• aspects of self-directed support
• social care
• social care self
• self directed support
• support planning process

Location

Aberdeenshire

Description

A locally based service to provide advice and information to members of the public regarding all aspects of Self-Directed Support, including information about the legislation and the four options available under The Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013; and to provide an Individual Service Fund management service. The Individual Service Fund management service will be accessible to eligible individuals that choose an Individual Service Fund under Option 2 to fund all or some of their care and support package. This service will include the management of prepaid card accounts.

Total Quantity or Scope

A locally based Self Directed Support service that includes: - a sign-posting facility; the provision of information, support and advice; participation in the support planning process; assistance to those supported persons that choose to employ staff to do so effectively and lawfully; and including support to the individual to access legal and payroll support - an integrated Individual Service Fund management service that will include the management of prepaid card accounts

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Legal Justification

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 because competition is absent for technical reasons. The Council issued a Prior Information Notice issued via PCS which did not identify alternative economic operators able to evidence the technical capacity to deliver the integrated individual fund management service of the form being procured to meet the service requirement of the Council. The Council’s service delivery model, including the individual support fund management service and prepaid account facility, is bespoke and tailored to the needs of its users. The lack of a reasonable alternative or substitute is reflective of regulator findings that since the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013[3] was enacted, Self Directed Support (SDS) has been implemented inconsistently across the country; and that Aberdeenshire Council has implemented a ‘bespoke approach to delivering Option 2’, with a uniqueness of supply that is recognised independently to be a ‘well designed system working well and the model most in the spirit of the Act’ . This notice of intent to award is made with reference to Chapter 3 Particular Procurement Regimes, Section 7 Social and Other Specific Services. This procurement responds primarily to the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. It is relevant to the integration agenda and the ‘Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014’; and recognises Council responsibilities under Section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act. The Scottish Government guidance on Specific Considerations and Rules for Care and Support Contracts has been followed, and light touch provisions are determined to be applicable. In relation to the award the Council has taken into account the need to ensure quality, continuity, accessibility, affordability, availability and comprehensiveness of the services; the specific needs of different categories of users, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; the involvement and empowerment of users’ and innovation. (76.9) The Council intends to award a contract to Cornerstone Community Care and considers that award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 as competition is absent for technical reasons.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=716588. (SC Ref:716588)