Commissioning Support within the community to improve the health and wellbeing of Somerset’s residents

This is not a call for competition and is not yet a contract opportunity. Somerset County Council commissions a broad range of non-statutory interventions within the community for people who have support needs, to ensure that they are supported in ways which maximise their control over their day-to-day life. These services promote independence through focussing on early intervention and prevention and ensure that care and support is provided in accordance with people’s needs and goals that improves wellbeing, which includes their connectedness with others. Traditionally contracts and grants have been commissioned in separate silos, often resulting in duplication, inefficiencies and poor outcomes for the person using multiple services. Somerset County Council, in conjunction with partners and people who use services, would like to co-design a future community support offer as one. This will move towards providing a “one stop shop” approach which will enable people to be supported flexibly, receiving the right care, at the right time, in the right place. We would like to have an early conversation with community and voluntary sector providers, interested in co-producing the service and the delivery model. This initial meeting will include looking at services that are in scope and out of scope and considering different procurement options. It is anticipated that any new arrangements would commence on 1st April 2024.