Southampton Early Advice and Support (SEAS) service

Southampton City Council is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of an upcoming procurement opportunity for the delivery of the Southampton Early Advice and Support (SEAS) service.

This initiative is key to achievement of the Council's aim to enhance resident independence, improve overall community wellbeing, and reduce/ delay demand for formal long term adult social care.

About SEAS: The SEAS service will focus on delivering preventative and high-quality Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) services to reduce demand on formal adult social care services.

The service will prioritise early intervention, promoting independence, addressing social isolation, particularly among older adults (65+) and carers.

It will also deliver preventative and high-quality Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) services to children and young people and those with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

Service Principles: 1.

Streamlined Service Delivery: With a Lead Provider overseeing the partnership, we can prevent duplication, ensure consistent standards across providers, and provide a single point of access to EAAS services.

2.

Focus on Integrated IAG Services: Consolidate all IAG functions under a coordinated framework, allowing the Lead Provider to allocate tasks to specialized providers for efficiency.

3.

Outcome-Based Commissioning: Set clear, measurable outcomes related to social isolation, wellbeing, and early intervention, enabling flexibility in how services are delivered while focusing on results.

4.

Core/Flex Model for Service Delivery: Certain statutory functions, including Healthwatch, Children & Young People (C&YP) support, IAG, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice, and Support Service (SENDIASS), will form the model's core.

These essential services are safeguarded to maintain continuity and quality of statutory provision.

Meanwhile, other services within the consortium will be designed with flexibility to adapt and reallocate resources as community needs change over time.

Indicative Procurement Details: • Estimated Annual Contract Value: £2m • Procurement Process: This procurement will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023, subject to the commencement of the new regulations. • Eligibility: Open to organisations capable of delivering a Lead Provider Partnership Model.

The model should consider including Voluntary, Community Groups, Social Enterprise, and Registered Charities (VCSE) collaboration.