Purpose

This contract will be divided into four separate lots to ensure specialist advocacy support is available for different groups of people who require assistance to have their voice heard, understand their rights, and participate in decisions about their care and wellbeing.
Lot 1: Mental Health Advocacy
This Lot relates to the provision of statutory and non-statutory advocacy for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. This includes support for people who are detained under mental health legislation or subject to related powers or affected by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as individuals who require assistance to understand their rights and participate in decisions about their treatment and care. The service will ensure people are supported to have their voice heard and to engage meaningfully with professionals involved in their mental health care.
Lot 2: Care Act Advocacy
This Lot covers the provision of independent advocacy for adults who require support to understand and engage with processes under the Care Act 2014. This includes individuals who have substantial difficulty in being involved in care and support assessments, care planning, reviews, safeguarding processes, or other related decision-making, and who do not have an appropriate person to support them. The service will ensure individuals are supported to express their wishes, understand their rights, and participate as fully as possible in decisions affecting their care and support.
Lot 3: Children’s Advocacy
This Lot covers the provision of independent advocacy for children and young people. The service will ensure that children and young people are supported to express their views, wishes, and feelings in decisions that affect their lives. This may include children in care, care leavers, homeless young people aged 16 and 17, and those involved with social care or safeguarding processes. Advocates will support young people to understand their rights, participate in meetings and reviews, and raise concerns or complaints where appropriate.
Lot 4: Health Advocacy
This lot relates to the provision of advocacy for individuals who need support to understand and engage with health services. The service will help people to express their views, access information about their healthcare options, and raise concerns or complaints where necessary. Advocacy may include support for individuals navigating complex health systems, attending appointments, or understanding treatment choices and their rights within health settings.
 

Decision

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families authorises:

(1)         the award of the provision of a Children’s Advocacy Service Contract to the provider identified in the report on the terms described; and

(2)         the Chief Legal Officer to enter into any agreements necessary on behalf of the Council to facilitate recommendation (1) on behalf of the Council.