Award

2023 Social Care Self Directed Support and ISF Management Service

ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

13 Jan 2025 at 13:28

Award

07 Jun 2023 at 08:16

Award

15 Dec 2022 at 11:16

Summary of the contracting process

Aberdeenshire Council has recently completed a public procurement process to award the "2023 Social Care Self Directed Support and ISF Management Service" contract. The initiative, focusing on the social work and related services industry, covers the Aberdeenshire region (UKM50). The procurement method utilized was a limited procedure, justified under regulation due to technical reasons and the bespoke nature of the service. The contract was awarded without prior publication of a call for competition. Key dates include the contract's signing on 12th December 2022. The awarded contract, valued at £1,882,632, was assigned to Cornerstone Community Care, a decision documented on 13th January 2025.

This procurement is an excellent opportunity for businesses involved in social care services to understand the high standards and specific skills required to provide integrated individual service fund management. Companies specializing in legal and payroll support, advice, and information dissemination for self-directed support services will find this project representative of potential public sector collaboration and growth avenues. Cornerstone Community Care's successful bid indicates the type of tailored and skilled approach that public authorities, such as Aberdeenshire Council, are looking for in service providers. Businesses with the right expertise can leverage such contracts to expand their service offerings and credibility in the social care sector.

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Notice Title

2023 Social Care Self Directed Support and ISF Management Service

Notice Description

A locally based service to provide advice and information to members of the public regarding all aspects of Self-Directed Support, including information about the legislation and the four options available under The Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013; and to provide an Individual Service Fund management service. The Individual Service Fund management service will be accessible to eligible individuals that choose an Individual Service Fund under Option 2 to fund all or some of their care and support package. This service will include the management of prepaid card accounts.

Lot Information

Lot 1

A locally based Self Directed Support service that includes: - a sign-posting facility; the provision of information, support and advice; participation in the support planning process; assistance to those supported persons that choose to employ staff to do so effectively and lawfully; and including support to the individual to access legal and payroll support - an integrated Individual Service Fund management service that will include the management of prepaid card accounts

Procurement Information

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 because competition is absent for technical reasons. The Council issued a Prior Information Notice issued via PCS which did not identify alternative economic operators able to evidence the technical capacity to deliver the integrated individual fund management service of the form being procured to meet the service requirement of the Council. The Council's service delivery model, including the individual support fund management service and prepaid account facility, is bespoke and tailored to the needs of its users. The lack of a reasonable alternative or substitute is reflective of regulator findings that since the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013[3] was enacted, Self Directed Support (SDS) has been implemented inconsistently across the country; and that Aberdeenshire Council has implemented a 'bespoke approach to delivering Option 2', with a uniqueness of supply that is recognised independently to be a 'well designed system working well and the model most in the spirit of the Act' . This notice of intent to award is made with reference to Chapter 3 Particular Procurement Regimes, Section 7 Social and Other Specific Services. This procurement responds primarily to the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. It is relevant to the integration agenda and the 'Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014'; and recognises Council responsibilities under Section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act. The Scottish Government guidance on Specific Considerations and Rules for Care and Support Contracts has been followed, and light touch provisions are determined to be applicable. In relation to the award the Council has taken into account the need to ensure quality, continuity, accessibility, affordability, availability and comprehensiveness of the services; the specific needs of different categories of users, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; the involvement and empowerment of users' and innovation. (76.9) The Council intends to award a contract to Cornerstone Community Care and considers that award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 as competition is absent for technical reasons.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-038dac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001019-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,882,632 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Dec 20223 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
claire.j.scott@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1467539600

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB16 5GB
Post Town
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire

Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Midstocket/Rosemount
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CARE

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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