FEW1510 - Provision of Adults Social Care Services For Best Interests Assessors Service

This is a below threshold direct award under the Light Touch Regime, on the basis of Schedule 5 (7), continuity of service whilst an existing procurement is concluding. The Best Interest Assessors (BIA) service is a required statutory function under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. It is therefore unavoidable for the local authority not to provide this service. The service assists the Council to deliver their statutory responsibilities, as outlined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and subsequent Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, to ensure that where a decision to deprive someone of their liberty is required it is made lawfully and based on relevant best practice, guidance and case law. This is a partly retrospective Direct Award commencing from April 2025 - November 2025 with the option to extend up to February 2026. However, as this is a statutory requirement, the Direct Award was required to ensure compliance whilst the new contract is being mobilised and due to commence.