Carers Support Service

Description

Cumberland Council is commissioning a new Carers Support Service. The aim of the service is to ensure that unpaid Carers of all ages can benefit from support that meets their needs, is preventative and meets the Council's statutory duties for Carers. 
The maximum total value of the overall Carers Support Service over the total contract period (including any extension period and uplifts) is a maximum value of £4.337m but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the contract. 
The breakdown of this total is: 20% Lot 1, 75% Lot 2 and 5% Lot 3. 
In year 1 the total maximum budget is £982,000 are as follows: Lot 1: £196,400 Lot 2: £736,500; and Lot 3: £49,100. The Council may not accept bids that are above the maximum price.
There are 3 Lots. Lot 1 Young Carers and Parent Carer Support (this will be for the provision of the functions set out in paragraph for Carers aged 18 and below, Parent Carers for children with disabilities, Transition Carer Assessments, family working with multi-generational carer family units); Lot 2 Adult Carers (this will be for the provision of the functions set out above for all Carers aged 18 plus or to work with the provider of Lot 1 in supporting the needs of any Adult Carers they are working with); and Lot 3 Digital Carer support (this is for the delivery of identification and self-help support including access to an online Carers Assessment being developed separate to this contract by the Council.
The contracts for Lots 1 and 2 are anticipated to commence on 1 October 2025 and will continue for a period of 2 years until 31st September 2027, unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract. The contract for Lot 3 is anticipated to commence on 1 October 2025 and will continue for 1 year until 31st September 2026, unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract. There will be three contracts issued for Lots 1, 2 and 3.  (The contract terms and conditions for Lots 1 and 2 are the same).
There is the potential for two 12-month contract extensions for Lots 1 and 2, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding which if used would terminate 31st September 2029.  In the case of Lot 3, there is a potential for 3 contract extensions of 12 months, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding. Use of these optional extensions are at the absolute discretion of the Council.
For further details and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, use the council's online procurement portal - The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk. 
Registration on The Chest is free. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT. Any clarifications you have about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.