Cheshire East Council is recommissioning its support offer for carers across the borough. The service will support adult carers who provide unpaid care and support to family members, friends and neighbours living within Cheshire East. Under the Care Act 2014, the Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to identify, assess need and support carers. The Council recognises the vital contribution unpaid carers make to sustaining families, communities, health services and social care and is committed to ensuring carers are recognised, valued and supported as equal partners in care. The final scope of the procurement will be confirmed following market engagement and completion of the service design process. It is anticipated the contract will include: provision of accessible information, advice and guidance; early identification and engagement; flexible preventative support; promoting wellbeing, training and skills development; peer and community support; digital innovation; co-production; and targeted interventions for carers facing additional barriers or inequalities.

Renewal: The contract is expected to include: • Provision of clear, consistent, accessible and tailored information, advice and guidance. • Proactive and preventative support that is responsive to differing levels of need, including evening and weekend provision. • Early identification, outreach and engagement with carers. • Wellbeing, resilience and preventative interventions, including training, skills development and support to access local community-based provision. • Interventions that enable carers to maintain interests, relationships and opportunities beyond their caring role. • Training opportunities to upskill carers • Borough-wide opportunities for peer support, mutual aid and community connection, delivered through a range of accessible channels. • Digital and innovative approaches to engaging and supporting carers. • Co-production activity and mechanisms that enable carers to shape and influence local service design and delivery. • Developing a strong partnership across VCSE, social care and health services. • Targeted support for carers experiencing inequalities or additional barriers to accessing support.

Procurement Act 2023

Open procedure

Light touch

Bidding documents: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-24240 Bidding documents: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-24242