Carers Specialist Information, Advice & Support Service

Lewisham Council and NHS Lewisham (CCG) (the 'Commissioners') are alerting the market to forthcoming tender for Specialist (Unpaid) Carer Information Advice and Support (IAS) Service. The Service will cover the whole Lewisham borough and work with adult unpaid carers , • Implementing regular outreach & awareness raising that strengthens local networks of support and raises the profile of unpaid carers; • providing high quality information, advice & signposting to support individual choice and decision-making to enhance physical and mental wellbeing; • providing intensive short-term 1:1 support that helps individuals explore their strengths & available resources and increases resilience; • support unpaid carers to complete the start of the Council's online carer assessment, where requested. The contract is due to start April 2019 ( lasting 2 years with 1 year option for renewal). The Commissioners consider that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) providers. The Commissioners encourage small providers, who may be interested, to collaborate and, where advantageous to them, to form partnerships and/or consortia to meet service specifications. The indicative prior year spend is noted but the Commissioners are open to offers that can show added value for money. This opportunity will be a competitive process and potential suppliers will note the intended evaluation criteria ratio of finance: quality as 60:40. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out within the procurement. The Commissioners invite expressions of interest ahead of the formal procurement- please email faith.abiola-ellison@lewisham.gov.uk or call her on 020 8314 6009 for a structured conversation about this procurement opportunity. The Commissioners also encourage any interested providers to register via the online procurement portal https://procontract.due-north.com/Register, through which they can formally respond to any tender opportunity. Once registered, you will not need to register again and will be able to use your existing user name and password. This pre-procurement activity ends 17th August 2018.