Children and Young Person Respite Service

Description

South Lanarkshire Council are looking to notify the market of a potential future contract opportunity to deliver a respite unit to provide support for up to a total of 5 children / young people with disabilities. The unit is located within the Hamilton area though will provide respite for all residents in the South Lanarkshire area. Current service provision is expected to continue with the incumbent provider until 31 December 2025 with an expected timeframe for ‘Go Live’ of 1 January 2026 for this new contract. We are therefore seeking notes of interest from providers who have experience in delivering this model of care. The residential unit is in the Hamilton area and provides a residential respite for children and young people aged 5 to 16 years of age, however in exceptional circumstances children of 4½ - 18 years will be considered. Priority will be given to children and young people with moderate to complex learning difficulties with additional support needs such as complex health needs, physical disabilities and / or behaviour that challenges, and to children / young people who reside in South Lanarkshire. The accommodation consists of a purpose built 5 bedded bungalow to provide a homely yet fully adapted living environment for a maximum of 5 children / young people at any given time. The house is located close to shops, recreational and health facilities. Each child / young person will have their own bedroom. The accommodation consists of: - Staff Office - Reception area - 5 accessible bedrooms - Kitchen - Large dining room - Lounge with integrated computer area - Large conservatory - Extensive gardens with a variety of adapted outdoor play equipment The building is fully barrier free to meet the diverse needs of the children and young people identified to use it. This includes being fully accessible for wheelchairs. Other adaptations include: - Playroom with soft play area and portable sensory equipment - Shower room with adapted shower facilities and toilet - Bathroom with rise and fall bath - Accessible toilet - Loop system - 2 Electric beds - Portable hoist system The proposed model is for the Council to have guaranteed access to a set number of nights per year, with priority given to Council demand, and the remaining nights can be offered to other local authorities, third parties, parents / carers. The property will be rented by the provider from the Council. Rental cost will be at market rate for the size / type / set up of property. The rental cost will be confirmed with tender documents. The provider will be required to deliver care to meet the child or young person’s personal support needs, social activities, and all aspects of day to day living both inside and outside the unit while resident, preparation, and cooking of all meals, to carry out cleaning and maintenance of the property and surroundings areas including gardens and parking. The service will be required to be available 364 days a year with an emergency staff on-call system in operation for Christmas Day. The Council would be interested in working with a provider currently appointed to or considering joining the Scotland Excel Children’s Residential Care and Education flexible framework No.1121 although we are seeking feedback from all providers for this service. The successful provider is required to register the unit with the Care Inspectorate as a Short Breaks and Respite service. The provider is required to have a management structure that offers good quality management and leadership to the staff employed within the service. The manager responsible for the day-to-day operation of the service will hold Registered Managers Award or equivalent and maintain appropriate professional registration in accordance with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or other regulatory body requirements. The staff team providing the care and support require to have appropriate experience, skills, and qualifications to deliver the service. All relevant staff must achieve and maintain registration as required by SSSC. The provider must be registered with the National Regulator and hold a minimum Care Inspectorate grade 3 for all Quality Themes.