Advocacy Commissioning Intentions Wallasey Town Hall 22/12/2015

2015/16 Commissioning Priorities Advocacy Support at Home Community Based Support Learning Disability & Complex Carers Joint Commission

Advocacy Current position General Advocacy Contract, including peer advocacy (expiring 31st March 2016) - DASS Independent Mental Health Advocacy (expiring 31st March 2016) - DASS Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (expiring 31st May 2016) - DASS Hospital Advocacy Service (expired 31st March 2016) - CCG

In this Commission Advocacy Hub Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy A legal safeguard for people who lack the capacity to make specific important decisions, and where there is there is no one independent of services, such as a family member or friend, who is able to represent the person. Involvement can include: Decisions for Serious Medical Treatment Accommodation decisions and care reviews Involvement in Safeguarding Adults Relevant Person’s Representative Independent Mental Health Advocacy A statutory right for people detained under most sections of the Mental Health Act, subject to Guardianship or on a community treatment order (CTO). Support can be given to/for: Help someone to get their opinions heard and make sure they know their rights under the law, Detention under the Mental Health Act (even if currently on leave of absence from hospital), excludes sections 4, 5(2), 5(4), 135 or 136 A conditionally discharged restricted patient Subject to Guardianship under the Act, or Receiving Supervised Community Treatment (SCT)

In this Commission (Cont) Care Act Advocacy The Local Authority must consider whether a person would have ‘substantial difficulty’ in any one of the following areas: Understanding relevant information Retaining that information Using or weighing that information as part of the process of being involved Communicating the individual’s views, wishes or feelings Peer Advocacy The advocate and the advocacy partner share similar experiences or environments. For example between those experiencing mental ill health and those with a learning disability. This is often like citizen advocacy with both partners having for example a learning disability and is mostly of an informal nature. Self-Advocacy People coming together to speak up for themselves. Self advocacy groups are a good way of encouraging this. They are run by people with disabilities who sometimes have supporters. Self advocacy groups are often groups of people who use services or have the same interests locally. They are a very good way for people to support each other and they can help to build confidence so that people feel more able to speak up for themselves.

Challenges Cheshire West & Chester judgement Additional responsibility /burden through the Care Act Reduced budgets

Opportunities Consortia / partnership bids Efficiency from providers delivering more than one service Social value / connection to Wirral

Future Plans To provide advocacy in Wirral within an ‘Advocacy Hub’. Joint commission with the CCG Integrated Commissioning Liverpool City Region

Proposed Timescales Advocacy 8th February 2016 - Tender opportunity posted on The Chest 8th March 2016 - Return of completed tenders w/c 14th March 2016 - Tender analysis w/c 28th March 2016 - Interviews w/c 18th April 2016 - Notify successful / unsuccessful providers 1st July 2016 - Contract start 30th June 2018 - Contract end January 2018 - Re-view/re-commission Advocacy service

The Chest E-tendering Portal All tender documentation available here All questions are queries to be raised here FAQ available here Technical Queries via Due North on 0845 293 0459 or www.the-chest.org.uk

Important Aspects Procurement Process Download all relevant documents Read the ‘Scope and Specification’ first Read all supporting documents Attach your tender document and submit Keep checking The Chest for any new questions raised by other providers DO NOT contact Council Officer directly A late submission or a submission with any missing or incomplete information cannot be accepted after the closing date and time has elapsed.

Your thoughts Other solutions / ideas / opportunities? What might we have missed? Realistic timescales?