W5067 Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Autistic People & People Needing Physical Support

This market sounding exercise is being undertaken by Walsall Council to obtain the views from potential interested parties to undertake a pilot and co-production to inform the possible future strategy for the following service delivery:

• Short Breaks (respite) for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people needing physical support

This exercise does not form part of any formal procurement process. Information received will be treated in strictest of confidence. This document provides background information on the current project with a number of questions designed to help establish:

• Your appetite for whether or not your organisation would like to be considered for this service;
• Your observations regarding the potential work and strategy;
• Your views on any issues that may exist with respect to providing the specialist works and your solution to these issues.

It is our intention to use this information to inform a potential future procurement process following a pilot phase. Please provide as much information as possible in order for us to obtain as full a picture as possible. However, we would appreciate specific answers to the questions raised, rather than the attachment of extensive technical or promotional information. The responses you supply will be treated in the strictest confidence. Further market sounding may be undertaken following the closure of this exercise.

Overview

Walsall is currently reviewing its existing respite provision with a view to transforming its offer to improve the choice, flexibility and accessibility for short breaks for adults.

In 2024-25, 252 people accessed replacement care: 35 people used a direct payment; 139 people accessed commissioned care and 78 people accessed emergency care. This equates to 5419 nights.

Aim

To establish a pilot scheme to provide a 4-5 bed building-based service operating 24/7 and available 365 days of the year within the community, with a flexible system allowing beds to be pre-booked for short breaks for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people needing physical support.

The aim of the pilot is to inform the second phase of the project to provide short break accommodation. It is envisaged we will negotiate the length of the pilot scheme following ongoing monitoring and reviewing, with a strong focus on co-production throughout the initial 24-month operational phase.

Risks will be identified and addressed together. We will be joint working throughout the pilot so the risks will be shared during the 24-month phase.

As part of the wider project we will be enquiring about your capacity to support emergency respite provision and your ideas around what that support could look like and what community short breaks options could be introduced.

As part of this process we are looking to explore individual conversations with interested parties.

Requirements

4-5 bedrooms in community-based accessible accommodation with 24/7 support

Care and support for people using short breaks

A flexible booking system allowing for pre-bookable breaks

Options

The Council are currently looking at the following options and would like to get provider feedback

Option 1 - A building with 4 or 5 bookable (preferably ensuite bedrooms) including one ground floor bedroom, a sleep in room alongside communal space, a utility room and a large kitchen, parking and a garden

Option 2 - Staff for 24/7 care and support including management, support staff and domestic duties for a short breaks property

Option 3 - Both a building and the care and support

Value

To be confirmed once we have received the feedback from this exercise