Invitation to Tender for the Provision of Residential and Supported Accommodation Services in Kent

The Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS Primary Care Trust and Kent Adult Social Services are seeking suitably experienced organisations (registered with CSCI for a minimum of two years) to tender for contracts for the provision of both residential and support and care services to individuals with a Learning Disability.

This tender forms part of the NHS Campus Re-provision Programme. This is a highly complex and challenging programme that seeks to move the support for a number of individuals from NHS provision into the private or third sector. In some instances the model of service delivery will remain as residential care, but for most the aim is to offer a supported living model. Services will be tailored to meeting individual’s person centred plans and needs with outcomes leading to clients being empowered and able to develop the skills to live as independently as possible, with appropriate support, within the community There are a large number of existing staff members currently employed within the NHS who will transfer under TUPE regulations to the successful providers.

Successful organisations will be able to demonstrate a track record of delivery to this client group and a thorough understanding of the issues that arise under a large TUPE transfer.

The tender is for the provision of care and support through a period of change and a capital development programme. Successful organisations will demonstrate the ability to work in partnership with Commissioners and our chosen landlord
partners delivering the highest quality support and care services to individuals with medium to high support needs through a time of transition and challenge. This may involve individuals moving into other accommodation, either permanent or temporary, whilst the capital programme develops. The contracts will be awarded for an initial period of three years.

The tender process will be managed by the Kent County Council electronic tendering process, which may be accessed at http://www.kent.gov.uk/socialcare/social-care-and-business/contracting-and-e-tendering/ then clicking on the blue E-Tendering link.

The tender site will become live on Tuesday 1st July 2008 (and cannot be viewed prior to this date) and will remain open for a two-month period, to close on Sunday 31st August 2008. A second stage interview/presentation process will take place between September and October. The contracts will be awarded November/December, shadowing arrangements and TUPE consultation to begin January 2009 with actual commencement of the contract being between 1st March and 1st April 2009.

The Service Specification, full service list, instructions to tender and terms and conditions of the contract will be available via the e-tendering site