Health and Disability Assessment Services (HDAS) – contract extension

The Contract relates to the provision of 'social and other specific services' within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102) and is critical to the provision of statutory "ESA" and Universal Credit welfare and other benefits for both DWP and Other Government Departments. The supplier will carry out an objective and independent assessment of the impact of health conditions and disabilities on claimants which is essential to the process of determining entitlement to these benefits. The supplier will carry out this assessment and provide information and advice to support the Authority's decision making processes. The key elements of the service will include: - The consideration of a claimant's health conditions or disabilities and the impact on their capability to work; - Assessing individuals against criteria prescribed by the Authority; - The delivery of face-to-face functional assessments to support the above; - The gathering and consideration of evidence to support the above including, where necessary, paying appropriate fees to gather evidence; - The completion of reports, including advice, to the Authority and other Government Departments; - The referral of assessment reports and any associated evidence to the Authority; - Interpretation and advice to the Authority on technical evidence; - Follow up liaison with the Authority in relation to assessments, including the provision of relevant health professional expertise as required; - The administration and management of the service, including scheduling face-to-face assessments, ensuring they are completed within the timescales set down by the Authority; - The recruitment, training and ongoing support of healthcare professionals, including liaison with relevant professional bodies; - The development of guidance in conjunction with the Authority; - The provision of an enquiry service for individuals being assessed; - The provision of a quality control regime, including a complaints function; - The provision of management information as defined by the Authority; - Initiatives and liaison with relevant organizations to support the provision of evidence; - Liaison and working with local and national partners, including disability organisations, and health professional bodies; and - Support for Test and Learn activity.