Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration presented a report on proposals relating to the procurement of a new contract for the provision of advocacy services to support a wide range of client groups, including older people, those with mental health, dementia and substance misuse issues and those with a learning or physical disability.

The Cabinet Member advised that the current advocacy services contract was due to expire on 1 April 2023.  The intention was to procure a new, maximum four-year contract to provide all statutory advocacy services as well as an Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service, supporting people who are considering making a complaint about treatment funded by the NHS which, until now, had been procured separately.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with an open market competitive tender for the provision of an Integrated Statutory Advocacy Hub in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Adults, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration and the Chief Legal Officer, to conduct the procurement and award and enter into the contract(s) and all other necessary or ancillary agreements with the successful bidder(s), in accordance with the strategy set out in the report.