CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

An Employee Assistance Programme for the Paid Social Care Workforce in Wales

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

The social care workforce has been at the forefront of the current Covid-19 response providing care for people particularly at risk of the virus in residential care homes and in the community. In their role, many social care workers will have been exposed to higher levels of stress, longer working hours and higher than usual number of deaths of the people they work with. Evidence suggests that it is likely that the impact on emotional wellbeing will last beyond the immediate crisis.

In addition the intelligence generated from the development of the workforce strategy indicated that there were particular challenges facing the social care workforce in Wales, with reference made to the ongoing wellbeing of the workforce and its ability to maintain its resilience and capacity when addressing those challenges.

To assist in mitigating the impact as a result of the pandemic, Social Care Wales, on behalf of and with funding from the Welsh Government, is seeking to appoint a provider to supply an Employee Assistance Programme to the paid social care workforce across Wales across the independent and third sector.

For the purposes of this commission, the paid social care workforce across the independent and third sector is estimated at 55,000 people across Wales. This is based on data submitted by the social care sector in 2019.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=104194.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

There is a budget of £200,000 (inclusive of any applicable VAT) agreed for this tender.

The contract will run for one year, commencing no later than 1 December 2020.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

The aim is to provide a comprehensive and flexible bi-lingual service (in Welsh and English), to promote and contribute to the good health and wellbeing of the paid workforce across the independent and third sector, contributing to minimising the effects and impact of ill health in the workplace, particularly the impact experienced of working through the current pandemic. The service provider shall operate a friendly, efficient, autonomous and confidential service, delivered, by flexible, committed and professional staff.

An Employee Assistance Programme must principally help employees and managers to work more effectively as individuals and as teams, by reducing the impact of major life events, psychological issues and day to day worries that might otherwise adversely affect their ability to work. It is a fundamental belief that employees who are healthy, happy and who manage demands and pressures well will be more positive and adaptable to change, be less likely to leave employment, exhibit lower levels of sickness absence and be more productive while at work and as citizens. A fully functional Employee Assistance Programme should be a valuable tool in helping employees to achieve this, whether the presenting issue is work related or otherwise.

The service must ensure compliance with legislative requirements including restrictions as determined by HMRC rules and regulations so as to avoid any service offered falling into the category of taxable benefit to the employee.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:104194)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice