Agenda item

AHI S171 ADVOCACY SERVICES CONTRACT AWARD

Decision:

RESOLVED:

1. To award the contract for the delivery of the Advocacy Service to

Provider C for a period of up to 5 years commencing in June 2023 at

a maximum cost of £2,645m (an average of £529k per annum). The

contract is for 3 years with the option to extend for up to 2 years

(1+1);

2. To award an extension to the current providers of the Advocacy

Service, for a period of 2 months (April - May 23) at maximum value

of £104,707.00 (£97k & £7.7k) . This is to enable the newly appointed

bidder to mobilise effectively, without disruption to service delivery.

Reason(s) For Decision / Options Appraisal

This report asks CPIC to approve the award of contract for an Advocacy service under a lead provider aimed at supporting vulnerable cohorts who are in need of advocacy services to support their well-being, enable them to have their voices heard and to live their lives in dignity and in accordance with their wishes

This provision will enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations with regard to providing independent advocacy services as required under the relevant Acts referred to in section 2.2.

The contract will deliver advocacy support to meet local need through a range of community providers under the leadership and direction of a lead provider.

The current Advocacy services in the London Borough of Hackney are designed to provide issue-based advocacy and can be categorised as statutory and non-statutory advocacy services.

Alternative Options (Considered and Rejected)

The following 5 options were appraised for the future of the Advocacy provision in the borough:

· Alternative Option 1: Insource

· Alternative Option 2: Remain As Is

· Alternative Option 3: Activity Based Contract

· Alternative Option 4: Separate Contracts/Multiple Providers

· Alternative Option 5a: No Non Statutory Advocacy Delivery:

· Alternative Option 5b: Reduced Non Statutory Delivery

· Alternative Option 5c Seek Separate Funding

Hackney Procurement Board approved the business case for the preferred procurement option in September 2022

Minutes:

8.1 The Strategic Commissioner introduced the report, highlighting the following:

· The report asked the Committee to approve the award of contract for the Advocacy Service and to extend the current contract to enable the mobilisation period for the award;

· The Advocacy Service assisted underserved groups to give them a voice;

· The new contract would be 3 +1+1 years at a maximum cost for £2,645m

· The contract award followed a comprehensive review of advocacy;

· A business case for the service was taken to the Hackney Procurement Board in September 2022;

· An improved specification had been developed following lessons learned from the commissioning review;

· There had been co-production throughout the various processes;

· There would need to be a review of the sustainability of the service;

· There had been an 80/20 split on quantity and price;

· Funding for the non-statutory elements would be tapered down over the life of the contract;

· All non statutory aspects would be allocated to local, small and medium sized enterprises;

· 4 good bids had been received by the Council with the successful bidder committed to paying the London Living Wage, ensuring the most vulnerable voices were heard, developing capacity, including expanding the existing network, paying for training and supporting through advocacy leadership. Further, new forms of advocacy would be developed to empower Hackney citizens. The bid was in line with sustainable procurement and social value requirements. The provider showed a good understanding of inequalities locally;

· Monitoring of the service would be carried out quarterly.

8.2 Councillor Woodley asked for clarification on the Group Director’s

comments in relation to the anticipated expenditure each year and the possibility of increased cost pressures.

8.3 The Strategic Commissioner responded that the Budget had reduced

from £535K to £529K. In order to meet the large demand in statutory advocacy efforts were being made to reduce the non-statutory elements of the service. There would be a need for dialogue with the provider as the Liberty Protection Safeguards come in. If demand increases for the service it may be necessary to negotiate with the provider on the contract.