Portsmouth City Council - Term Service Contracts for Targeted Short Breaks and Specialist Playschemes

Portsmouth City Council ('the council') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified Providers to provide Targeted Short Breaks and Specialist Holiday Playschemes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and additional needs within Portsmouth. The Council is looking to appoint a Provider or Providers via a multiple provider arrangement to deliver these services within the Northern, Southern and Central localities of Portsmouth, at an estimated annual value of approximately £517,000 collectively per annum, which is to be split accordingly between three separate lots and services. Each contract will be let for an initial 3-year term, with the option to extend by up to a further 2 years. The scope of the services will include statutory duties and functions which meet Local Authority responsibilities in providing accessible Short Breaks provisions, which will support the needs of disabled children and young people, as well as their families, ensuring that the Council can offer a range of services within this field, during the day, inclusive of schools holidays, weekends, and after school, to meet the requirements of the applicable residents within Portsmouth boundaries. This is a re-procurement of an existing service. Scope and Specifications The services are to be provided for children and young people with SEND, and/or additional or complex health needs (support needs and provisions will differ, dependent on the service), who live within the city of Portsmouth from age 5 and up to their 18th birthday. Services must be delivered in line with the SEND Code of Practice, safeguarding standards, and local priorities. The targeted short breaks provisions will be offered to parent/careers, children and young people living in the city of Portsmouth, who meet the eligibility criteria, as set out in the Council's Short Breaks Statement. For certain services, providers should offer additional opportunities for families who are able to self-fund places for their child/children, as this will prove to be more cost effective. The Portsmouth Short Breaks offer, falls into three categories, as below: Level 1 - Low Level of Support For children and young people who cannot access universal services alone These services are provided for disabled children and young people who have additional needs that cannot be met by universal services. Level 2 - Higher Level of Support For children and young people who need a higher level of support. Those who meet eligibility criteria have access to short breaks. These services can be accessed by self-referral or via a Lead Professional. Level 3 - Specialist Support For children and young people who require services identified through a social care assessment These services are provided in addition to Levels 1 and 2 services where needs are identified through a social care assessment and meet the threshold for additional support. The commissioned services involved will cover categories 1 and 2 only. Dependent on the service, children and young people will be able to gain access to provisions via the following methods: Direct Parent/Carer Access Parents/carers will be able to book or register directly with the Contractor and will be able to access activities, either via the Contractors website, email of online booking form, phone or Local Offer directory link. Professional Referral Professionals may signpost or refer the family including: Early Help teams, Schools/SENCO's, Health visitors, Family support workers or Social care (if already involved). Council route The Council may send referral information for: Children known to services who require support • Children on targeted short breaks lists • Families who have requested short breaks through the SEND Local Offer Specifications The Specifications have been designed to ensure that all Providers have an effective and equal understanding of the contract's functional and performance requirements. Full details of requirements can be found in the Specification Documents. The Council reserves the right to make amendments to the specifications if deemed necessary, during the clarification stage. Partnership Working In addition to working in close partnership with the council, the Provider will also demonstrate effective communication and embody a strong partnership approach with other agencies and stakeholders, inclusive of Education, Health and Social Care partners in addition to parent carer forums, such as Portsmouth Parent Voice (PPV)