Carers Support Service – Lead Provider

Milton Keynes City Council are currently out to tender for the provision of a Lead Provider for it's Carers Support Service. This is being procured as an open tender under the light touch regime.The duration of the contract will be for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years.The overarching purpose of the provision of Carers’ Support Services is to ensure that carers who are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who are who are ordinarily resident in Milton Keynes, are supported to maintain:- A positive sense of their own health and wellbeing- Continuing their caring role, in a way that is safe for them.The Lead Provider organisation forms part of the tiered approach of the Carers’ Support Services. The tiered approach encompasses levels of support and specialism. It has a lead provider, who provides overarching Information advice and guidance and acts as a single point of access. It then has a number, of specialist organisations who work in collaboration to meet the needs. The specialist organisations (not included in this tender) will cover the areas of:- Young Carers and Young Adult Carers- Mental Health- Learning Disability and Neurodivergence- Older PeopleThe Lead Provider will deliver the following services and activities:- The service will deliver a single, well-informed Single Point of Access (SPA) for Carers- Triage all referrals within 3 working days, identifying those that need to be referred to ASC as a matter of urgency. A wellbeing assessment is completed, to identify where the carer needs advice and referral made to the specialist organisation if required. Carers details will be shared seamlessly between organisations, with consent.- Complete contingency planning and recommend/ encourage carers to have a carers conversation with MKCC- Share contingency plans with MKCC Adult or Children’s Social Care- Advice, information and emotional support to Carers, on all issues relating to their caring role. This support is to be given by telephone, face to face or using electronic media on an individual basis or in group settings, in home visits, community venues or at the carer’s service offices. The service will be available at times and venues within Milton Keynes which are convenient and accessible for all Carers.- Benefits advice and representation; other financial advice and information relating to caring matters. To deliver debt and financial advice the provider is required to be Finance Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated.- To develop the use of volunteers who have had experience of being a Carer, to offer a befriender/buddying service which will keep in regular touch with isolated Carers by phone or in person.- The model does not include all conditions of the cared for. The Lead provider may work with other organisations to provide specific support for these carers.- Develop a peer support network for carers- Production and distribution of a regular Carer’s Newsletter in paper form, on a website or using any other electronic method of disseminating useful information about local and national developments of interest to Carers.- And more which are detailed in the service specification.The service will be delivered under a branded name. This will support a ‘no wrong door ‘approach to providing support to carers, that is easily identifiable.The provider will have a base in Milton Keynes, if this is not suitable for carers to access then use of local community facilities at dedicated times and days is to be communicated.