Request for Information (RFI) - Specialist Healthcare Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities

The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Transforming Care Partnership (TCP) consists of three local authorities (Essex County, Southend Borough and Thurrock Borough Councils) and seven Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) (West Essex, Mid Essex, and North East Essex, Castle Point & Rochford, Basildon & Brentwood, Southend and Thurrock).

It is anticipated that the length of contract for these services will be 7 years with a potential extension period of a further 2 years.

The TCP is working to implement the new national service model for people with learning disabilities and / or autism that display behaviour that challenges, as described in 'Building the Right Support'.

Whilst recognising the need to transform local systems for those people specifically identified within Transforming Care, the TCP is committed to improving the life outcomes of all people with learning disabilities (who may also have a condition on the Autistic spectrum). We are therefore taking the opportunity to transform the wider health & social care system for all individuals with a learning disability.

As part of this work the TCP has co-produced with people who use services and family carers, a set of system principles and outcomes which provide the framework for all of our commissioning activity.

The TCP is committed to working in partnership to deliver a person-centred, outcomes focussed approach that will:

o Predict need;

o Prevent the escalation of need;

o Respond to people's aspirations and changing needs.

The outcomes that the TCP has committed to achieving for people with learning disabilities are as follows:

1. The health and wellbeing of everyone is improved, and life expectancy is the same as for the rest of the population.

2. Individuals, families and carers are acknowledged and treated as equal partners in the planning of care and support, so that needs are understood and outcomes met.

3. Individuals and their families can communicate positive experiences of services and support throughout their lives.

4. Individuals, families and communities support each other, and are able to access the right help at the earliest point to manage issues and prevent them from getting worse.

5. Mainstream services are accessible.

6. People are able to live the lives of their choosing in their local community.

7. There is reduced reliance on inpatient settings.

8. There is a reduced rate of offending.

9. Services understand and predict arising needs so that support can be planned and delivered within the available resources.

It is within this context that the 7 CCGs are seeking to procure a new Pan-Essex Specialist Learning Disability Healthcare contract to contribute to the achievement of these system outcomes.