Prior information notice 2122-0030 Islington Carers Hub

Carers, also known as informal carers, family carers or unpaid carers, look after an adult in their life who would not be able to manage without their support. Carers may look after an ageing partner, a disabled adult child, support an elderly neighbour, or a friend with substance use issues. Nationally, 6.8m people provide unpaid care for a disabled, seriously-ill or older loved ones in the UK, saving the state £132bn a year (statistics taken from Carers UK). Despite it being a statutory requirement that carers receive the same level of focus as the cared for or service user, this is often not the case with the emphasis often still remaining on the cared for person. The London Borough of Islington intends to procure a service provider who will run an extensive offer to support unpaid carers in their caring role, referred to as Islington Carers Hub. This is to fulfil the Council’s statutory responsibilities as outlined in the Care Act 2014. The current contract expires in February 2022. Islington’s Carers Hub currently has 3,200 carers registered with them and support 1,200 carers per year. Core functions of their service include Information and Advice, Support Groups, and a Breaks fund while they also host events, provide carers assessments and training. It is important to recognise and appreciate carers for the vital role they play in our society and ensure they feel valued. It is key that carers’ interests are championed at a strategic level – we want to make Islington is a carer friendly borough. It is a priority to focus on carers, ensuring they have opportunities to enhance their wellbeing and can access the right support at the right time. Supporting carers and preventing carer breakdown also means less people will need access to formal care – whether that be for the carer or for the cared for. This is beneficial on an economic level, but also on a personal level for both, carer and cared for. To demonstrate our commitment to social value a weighting of 20% of the award criteria will be allocated to social value. It is essential that the council’s spending, both direct and with suppliers, has the maximum positive impact for Islington people, especially the most disadvantaged. We want to make sure as much as possible is spent within Islington, and that the council’s purchasing decisions support Islington people through creating employment, skills training and other opportunities. We also want to support and enable Islington businesses, particularly small businesses, successfully tender for council contracts. This is not an invitation to tender nor does it preclude or favour eligibility to participate in the formal procurement once it starts. Details in this PIN are subject to being updated or changed in the final contract notice. The contract notice will be published on the e-tendering system used by Islington Council, the London Tenders Portal (ProContract). We would advise you to register on the e-tendering system now in order that you receive an email alert when the contract notice is published. Register your company, free of charge, via the London Tenders Portal (ProContract): https://procontract.due-north.com/Login