How do I receive updates about the contract?
You will need to register for the Chest and sign up to receive notifications from Category 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. All re-opening and provider engagement will be advertised through this route.
How do I join the purchasing system?
You will need to go through a tender process when a round is opened. The DPS opens once per year for new providers. Please ensure you speak to the host authority if you are considering setting up new provision in the North West.
How does the DPS work in terms of referrals?
When the procurement process is complete and a provider is awarded onto the DPS they will be added to the spreadsheet that placing authorities use to make referrals and this will be circulated to the 23 North West authorities. We do not share contact details for commissioning or placement teams with providers.
How do I update referral details for my organisation?
You need to log into the Chest and submit the details via the messaging service. This should then be submitted via the Chest. An updated set of provider information will be circulated to local authorities on the 1st of each month. You must submit your template by the 20th of the previous month to be included on the circulation.
What if I need my details updating more quickly?
If there is a specific reason you need the details updating more quickly please contact us at placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk. Providers have had multiple opportunities to submit accurate referral details and we will use our discretion to decide whether to circulate updates outside of the regular cycle.
Why am I not receiving referrals?
Inclusion on the contract does not guarantee referrals. If you have never received a referral please check the referral information you have submitted is correct. If you have been receiving referrals but these have slowed down or stopped please speak to your local commissioning team about the requirement for the service you are providing.
How do I update company contacts for my organisation?
You need to log into the Chest and inform us via the messaging service. An updated set of provider information will be circulated to local authorities on the 1st of each month. You must submit your template by the 20th of the previous month to be included on the circulation.
What if I need my details updating more quickly?
If there is a specific reason you need the details updating more quickly please contact us at placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk. We will use our discretion to decide whether to circulate updates outside of the regular cycle.
How do I inform you of a change in legal entity?
Please do this via the messaging service on the Chest.
Do I have to submit a new tender if our company details change?
we will need to vary the framework agreement and current IPA’s with new organisational detail. Please note that due diligence will be undertaken on the new organisation before novation is complete
What happens to the IPAs we have in place when we change legal entity?
All IPA’s need to be varied/modified by the host Local Authorities Legal Team
How do I remove properties from the contract?
You need to log into Chest and inform us via the messaging service.
How often can I remove properties from the contract?
You can remove properties from the contract at any point.
Which properties can I add to the contract?
Any properties within the North West or a five-mile radius of the North West can be added.
How often can I add properties to the contract?
You can add properties to the contract once a quarter. An updated set of provider information will be circulated to local authorities on the 1st of each month. You need to submit new properties by the 20th of the last month in the quarter. We will aim to evaluate and have new properties added for the 1st of the subsequent month depending on volume.
What if I need my homes adding more quickly?
If there is a specific reason you need the details updating more quickly please contact us at placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk. We will use our discretion to decide whether to circulate updates outside of the regular cycle.
What information do I need to include to submit new properties?
For each property you will need to submit the 'Provider Updates' template found at the top of this page and provide the following information:
- Name of the property
- Address of the property
- Property postcode
- Accommodation checklist for each property
- Written confirmation from the host authority Commissioner stating that they have no objections to the property being set up
- Provide evidence that appropriate planning permission has been sought
- Locality risk assessment for each property
Please refer back to the guidance in the original tender documentation to ensure the documents you are submitting meet the required standard.
An evaluation will be carried out for each property and you will be notified of any clarification queries or the outcome via the Chest.
On what grounds can the host authority commissioner object to the property set up?
It is important that providers speak to the host authority at the very earliest stage of setting up a new property. The host authority commissioner will be able to discuss demand for the service and any risks associated with the area.
To submit a property to the DPS and have the information shared with placement teams the provider must have written confirmation that the host authority commissioner does not object on the grounds of:
- Oversupply in that area or the authority as a whole
- Specific locality risks
- Objections from other stakeholders
- Insufficient risk assessment in place
If the host authority commissioner has objections based on the above criteria we will not add the property to the DPS. If the provider is not happy with objections raised by the host authority they may raise this in a message via the Chest to Placements North West who will decide whether further evaluation is required and consult with the SaILS DPS Governance Group as required.
What insurance documents do we need to provide?
All documents in the Supplier Questionnaire document must be provided. Specific details will be sent in any request to providers.
What happens if I don’t submit my insurance details?
It is a contractual requirement that providers submit insurance details. If you don’t submit the documents we will issue an ISP. Any subsequent action will follow the ISP process and you may be removed from the contract.
How do providers on the FPS request uplifts?
We have a single North West approach to managing uplifts across all contracts. Information on this process can be found here.