Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
South Lanarkshire Council
Council Headquarters, Almada Street
Hamilton
ML3 0AA
Contact
Marie McGowan
marie.mcgowan@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1698454184
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM95 - South Lanarkshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00410
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Enhanced Aftercare
Reference number
SLC/PS/SW/20/039
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Council has a requirement to enhance the provision of Enhanced Aftercare. It has been identified that a number of Young People who wish to leave fostering or residential care are not able to live independently due to the lack of a targeted bespoke service which provides community based supported accommodation with a high level of support and 24/7 out of hours response.
In 2019 the Care Inspectorate highlighted a number of areas for improvement in relation services to Young People transitioning from the Council’s care. Access to appropriate and safe housing was identified as a key improvement area.
Recommendations from consultations with Young People leaving the Council’s care have also identified that access to appropriate housing and support requires improvement.
Through Care and Aftercare is also a key priority area within the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy which has 4 improvement areas:
- Improving assessment & pathways planning
- Health & wellbeing
- Housing, accommodation & support
- Education, training & employment.
We are therefore carrying out this further market engagement in order to consider some potential solutions which may be available in the marketplace, in order to provide better support for these Young People in the future.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £2,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM95 - South Lanarkshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
SERVICE REQUIREMENT
The Council does not provide a bespoke intensive support and accommodation service for this group of Young People. Of the group approximately 10 Young People are considered in the high-risk category who had left their care placement before they were 18 years. It was reported that at the time that these Young People in particular were posing considerable challenge to services as they were in cycles of crisis. The proposed model is aimed at this most vulnerable group only.
PROPOSED MODEL
The proposed service will include 2 main elements:
1. 24/7 Intensive Support
As part of the Council’s commitment to develop a wider range of options for Young People who choose to leave care, the Council is looking to commission a model of high level support with accommodation for 18 to 21 year olds. The preferred model is to have individual self-contained tenanted flats with communal area(s) with support staff available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year for up to 10 Young People. The provider will be the Landlord and will be responsible for all matters relating to the accommodation.
2. Emergency Accommodation
The service will also have capacity to provide safe emergency accommodation and support that some Young People will require as an emergency / short term alternative until they resolve the cause of crisis. The model needs to take account that Young People’s needs for accommodation and support can change on a daily basis and the service can respond to emergency placements. This service will only be possible if there is a space within the 10.
The Council requires potential bidders to deliver both housing and support solutions for 10 Young People. Accommodation can be comprised of 2 hubs to allow for a minimum of 5 Young People to be housed within the town of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, and a maximum of 5 Young People to be housed within the town(s) of East Kilbride or Cambuslang or Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. The accommodation should be situated in urban areas, accessible by frequent local public transport and have access to local amenities (education, work, health facilities, supermarket) within walking distance. The Council would consider a phased implementation of 1 hub in the Hamilton area for a minimum of 5 Young People, with the 2nd hub being ready for occupation at the end of year 1 within the East Kilbride / Cambuslang / Rutherglen area.
The service will provide intensive 24/7 support and accommodation, which includes bespoke one to one support for particularly challenging Young People with multiple complex needs. These can include Young People whose latest placements have broken down, who have been released from custody early, whose lives are at risk due to gang involvement criminal exploitation or Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and Young People at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) or who have comorbid substance misuse & mental health.
Support includes, but is not limited to:
- Staff working across seven days between the hours of 8am and 10pm,
so that they can plan to see Young People when it is required.
- On-Call crisis support between the hours of 10pm – 8am to deal with emergency issues when they arise, face-to-face support may be required.
- Key brokerage with housing, DWP, addictions services and community based organisations.
- Support sessions with Young People and their parents/carers to provide mediation and general family support.
Future considerations are detailed in the attached market engagement questionnaire.
two.2.14) Additional information
The PIN notice is for information only at this stage, there is no additional information or documentation available at this time.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please express an interest in the Notice and a notification will be sent out when the tender is available to download from Public Contracts Scotland Tender (PCS-T).
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 June 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Please view and complete the market engagement questionnaire.
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=714743.
(SC Ref:714743)