Provision of a Pan-Dorset Advocacy Service for Dorset, Poole, Bournemouth and the CCG

Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole and the Dorset CCG are offering an opportunity to provide an advocacy service across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.

The service falls into two categories; statutory duties that Local authorities provide under the Care Act 2014 and non-statutory duties that Local authorities may provide.

The service will provide independent advocacy on a one-to-one basis for: • Older people, • Adults with a long term condition, • Adults with learning disabilities and or autism, • Carers • Adults experiencing substance misuse problems • Adults with generic mental health needs • Young people with SEN in transition The Advocacy service will aim to help people achieve the following outcomes: · An understanding of the key care and support process and how individual needs can be met. · The ability to communicate views and wishes to staff · The ability to make decisions about their care and support arrangements through assistance to weigh up various care and support options and choose the one's that best meet their needs and wishes. · The ability to be supported to challenge a decision or process made by the local authorities.

People understand their rights under the Care Act.

The service will be free of charge to the service user and will usually be provided in the service user's home or, where appropriate and by agreement with the service user, at the provider's premises.

More information about the service being tendered can be found in the specification.

The service will begin on 1st April 2017 and continue for a period of 2 years to 31st March 2019 with the option to extend.