Issue details

20/00132 - Commissioning of Specialist Bereavement Services

Reason for the decision
A key decision is required as it affects more than 2 electoral divisions and expenditure if over a million.

Kent and Medway CCG and Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Team have identified funding to provide specialist bereavement support services across Kent and Medway. There are currently limited support services available for those bereaved and as such the funding will ensure a comprehensive and consistent service is put in place. This is seen as critical given the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Bereavement is a natural part of human experience but can be intensely painful and negatively impact on physical and mental health (Selman et al 2020). As part of NHS England’s national Suicide Prevention Transformation Funding and through NHS Kent and Medway CCG, it is identified that there are two particular groups in which bereavement can have an increased risk of depression, self-harm and other mental illness. These include children, young people and young adults and people bereaved by suicide. There is likely to be an increase in people needing these services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

KCC, in collaboration with the Kent and Medway CCG and Medway Council will procure two services to support Kent and Medway residents through a competitive procurement exercise with a maximum value of £1,493,750 over the period of five years.


Strategic outcome
The commissioned services support KCC’s outcomes:

• Every Child has the best start in life;
• Kent communities feel the benefits of economic growth by being in-work, healthy and enjoying a good quality of life; and
• Older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently.
The services will also align to the following outcomes set out in the draft KCC Strategic Delivery Plan (2020-2023):
• Stronger and safer Kent communities
• Opportunities for children and young people
• Quality health, care and support

The outcomes of the service are to:

• Improve service user’s resilience and their capacity to cope in their surroundings
• Improve service users physical and mental health (measured by evidence-based tools)
• Personal goals and outcomes achieved
• Reduction in stigma and discrimination


Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 12/01/2021

Decision due: Not before 10th Feb 2021 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health

Lead director: Andrew Scott-Clark

Contact: Vicky Tovey, Public Health Senior Commissioning Manager Email: victoria.tovey@kent.gov.uk.

Consultees

This item will be discussed at the Health Reform and Public Health Committee on the 21st January 2021 and in March 2021.

Financial implications: Kent and Medway CCG and Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Team have identified funding to provide specialist support services across Kent and Medway. The maximum total amount for both services including possible two-year extensions is £1,493,750 over a period of five years.

Legal implications: The Care Act 2014 makes it a requirement for the council to deliver early intervention and preventative services for adults with mental health needs. The Children Act 2004 places a duty to promote and safeguard the welfare of children in Kent and Medway. The Public Contracts Regulations 2018 which set out the legal basis for Local Authority procuring services.

Equalities implications: Equality Impact Assessment for the service has been completed and any recommendations for improvements in service delivery have been incorporated in the service specification. It will be a requirement for the awarded provider to update the Equality Impact Assessment based on their delivery model. Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA) is in the process of being completed and recommendations will be actioned. It would be a requirement within the service specifications for the awarded provider to complete a DPIA for the data in which they are the controller for.

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