Provision of independent mental capacity advocacy (IMCA)

Ref: C035

Birmingham City Council is seeking expressions of interest from organisations wishingto apply to be on a select list for tenders for the provision of Independent MentalCapacity Advocacy (IMCA). The service will be available for individuals aged 16plus,who need support in making important decisions relating to accommodation changes,important medical treatment, and when appropriate, adult protection and review casedecisions, as outlined in the Mental Capacity Act. It is also expected that the IMCAservice will be involved with Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards best interestsassessments.

The organisation will also play an active part in training and developing the service.

Applications are invited from organisations that are able to deliver services withinBirmingham from 2009, and have a proven track record in providing high qualitymental capacity advocacy services for a wide variety of groups, including people withlearning disabilities, dementia, mental health needs, and acquired brain injury.

The IMCA service will receive referrals and respond to referrals from both health andsocial care professionals.

The organisation should have experience with this kind of service for similar usergroups. It will be able to ensure that from the beginning of service provision the IMCAhas knowledge of the existing networks of social actors/stakeholders with whom theywill need to liaise in order to address the needs of individuals requiring support, andbe sufficiently familiar with the diverse nature, and needs, of the people ofBirmingham.

Interested organisations should request a hard or electronic copy of the application by:

Post: Service Contracts, Adults and Communities Directorate 1st Floor, New Aston House, Alma Street Newtown, Birmingham B19 2RL
Tel: 0121 303 3791
Fax: 0121 303 4881
Email: IMCATender@birmingham.gov.uk

Completed ‘Pre-Qualification Questionnaire’ forms must be returned by no laterthan mid-day 12:00hrs on Friday 12th December 2008.

Short listed organisations will be invited to submit a tender shortly after this date, andmay need to attend an Evaluation Panel meeting if successful. The Contract will start1st April 2009.

For more information contact Alastair Jewson on tel: 0121 303 3791 or email:alastair_j_jewson@birmingham.gov.uk or view information on our website