Request For Information for Advocacy Services in Sussex

Description

Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and NHS Sussex are in the process of undertaking an exercise to recommission Advocacy Services in Sussex. Prior to the commencement of a procurement, we wish to engage with key stakeholders to gather information via an online questionnaire. This is not an invitation to tender. Currently, the above commissioning authorities have an advocacy contract held by a lead provider, which covers the following services: - Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and Relevant Person Paid Representative across West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove - Independent Care Act Advocacy for West Sussex and Brighton and Hove - Independent Mental Health Advocacy for Brighton and Hove - Independent Health Complaints Advocacy for Brighton and Hove - Community advocacy for Brighton and Hove The advocacy service contract is due to expire in June 2025 and the joint commissioning authorities above are seeking to procure advocacy services beyond this date to ensure that high quality advocacy services continue to be available to all eligible residents of Sussex. Lot 1: Purpose of Engagement: This engagement questionnaire has been designed to be the first stage of our market engagement activities and is intended to build upon our existing knowledge of the market in Sussex and the wider UK. Throughout the engagement exercise, we hope to use the information and feedback we receive to develop our plans for the future of advocacy services in Sussex and to help us to deliver high quality services. This is an open engagement exercise in which any potential providers can participate. A summary of the engagement process along with any learning and how it has influenced service design would be published as part of any subsequent procurement process. This is an open invite to engage with us and all participants to this initial engagement will be made aware of future opportunities to engage with us. Additional information: Questionnaire: 1. Would you be interested in taking on a contract to deliver the above services, and if not why not? [500 word limit] 2. Are there any issues that would prevent you bidding? [500 word limit] 3. Please outline briefly what type of RPPR services you have delivered? Including any issues you have overcome and how you overcame them. [500 word limit] 4. What model of delivery do you think would work well for these services? E.g. single provider, lead provider model, consortium, etc. [500 word limit] 5. List different ways in which you have increased the reach of your contracts specifically in relation to community advocacy, in relation to supporting an increased number of people. [500 word limit] Please submit your responses to the above questions to Nick.Streets@eastsussex.gov.uk and Sophie.Furniss@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 12 Noon on Friday 2nd August 2024.