All Age Autism Support Service for Birmingham and Solihull

***THIS ADVERT IS FOR A MARKET ENGAGEMENT SURVEY ONLY*** Following the market engagement event which was held on 10th September 2021, the commissioners have been able to take on board the feedback received and are now seeking to consult with the market on the contents of the specification. The specification changes the scope of the previously envisaged service (as outlined at the market engagement event) and now focuses on signposting individuals with autism to appropriate organisations to gain the best support for them. In addition to this, the service will have responsibility for distributing grants to existing and new organisations to assist them in providing support to individuals with autism, with the aim of opening and enhancing signposting routes. The timescales for standing up this new service are very tight and the tendering process for this requirement must be completed before the end of 2021 so that the new service can be operational during Q4 of 2021/22. In order to ensure that the re-specified service is viable the commissioners are seeking feedback from the market to understand if there is the appetite and capacity to offer this service as per the new specification. Commissioners are therefore seeking responses to a market engagement survey which will be accessible via NHS Arden & GEM CSU’s e-tendering portal, EU Supply. The survey can be accessed by following the links included in the advert above. Organisations will be able to view the draft specification for this service before completing a brief survey so that commissioners can quickly ascertain the viability of this service from a provider perspective before offering it to tender. Organisations are asked to respond to this advert and complete the survey by Tuesday 28th September, although earlier responses by 24th September will be welcomed. This will allow commissioners to remain within the timescales advertised at the original market engagement event.