Integrated Advocacy Service

The Council wishes to commission an Integrated Advocacy Service for the provision of statutory advocacy for eligible Individuals across Staffordshire. The Council invites suppliers to tender for an integrated approach to the coordination and delivery of a range of statutory advocacy services outlined below: a) Independent Advocacy under the Care Act 2014; b) Independent Advocacy for Prisoners under the Care Act 2014; c) Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Trained Representatives. Where the Individual has no family/friends to represent them, an advocate and/or trained person may be appointed to be the Rule 1.2 Representative; d) Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA); and e) Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS). In the provision of the Services, the Provider will: a. Provide a single point of access model that promotes a triage approach to ensure Individuals get the right advice, support and/or services required; b. Make use of digital; c. Recognise the benefits of strength-based and an Asset Based Approach to improving health and wellbeing, promoting independence and building community capacity; d. Be strongly encouraged to develop a model that uses volunteers to fulfil some of the roles where it is safe and appropriate to do so; it adds value to and improves the outcomes of the Service; and provides a valuable experience to the volunteer; and e. Target and support those with greatest need. The tender will be procured via an open tender process. Tenderers may submit as a provider or lead provider in the form of a consortia, or partnership arrangement or through sub-contracting arrangements with other organisations to deliver all of the service requirements within the Service Specification.