Reading Borough Council (RBC) are inviting the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) to be involved in discussions about the next phase of the ‘VCS Front Door model’ (previously known as ‘Improving the First Point of Contact with Adult Social Care’).
How to get involved
They will hold a session to discuss a draft list of ‘Essentials and Desirables’ for the community-based part of the VCS Front Door model on Thursday 13 March 2025, 14.30–15.30 at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU. If you are interested in joining this session, please contact Soon.Heshe@reading.gov.uk by Tuesday 11 March.
Below is a shortened version of information circulated by RBC – for further information, questions and comments, please contact Soon Heshe, Transformation Project Manager, by emailing Soon.Heshe@reading.gov.uk.
What is the VCS Front Door Service Model?
The VCS Front Door model aims to bring in the VCS at a much earlier point on the customer journey, when people come to Adult Social Care (ASC) for the first time. The service model has been split into two components: the ‘Local Connector Services’ which is based in the Civic Office and the ‘Community’ based part (in procurement terms previously referred to as Lot 1 and Lot 2).
The Local Connector Service
The Local Connector Service – the first component of the VCS Front Door – started at the end of last year. The service is delivered by the British Red Cross. Their staff are based at the Civic working closely with The Advice & Wellbeing Hub in linking people to their local community to reach their desired outcomes, and following up with the person to see if the outcomes have been met or if different input is needed. The Local Connector team consists of 1 case-holding Team Manager, 3 Local Connectors and 1 Service Admin Assistant. 3.5FTE in total. All posts are now filled but with staggered starting dates, completion of training and induction, start of service delivery is progressing gradually. The first Local Connectors in post started working on referrals December 2024.
What is happening next?
To fully develop our model, we now want to commission the community element of our service. This service will include:
- Provision of direct practical and emotional support to enable residents to make contact and link in with their local community.
- Support and empower people to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence through prevention and early intervention with person-centred and strengths-based support.
- Initiation of community development: Work with partners i.e. people who need support, Reading residents, the wider VCS, Housing and ASC etc. to identify gaps in community support and develop new initiatives to plug these gaps.
The Community based support service, will be working closely with the Red Cross Local Connectors to provide enabling and strength-based support in the community. This will further enhance our offer and will mean, that alongside the Local Connector service, we will have additional staff to provide front line support for people to connect to other forms of support, and to contribute to the development of new groups and services in the community, where there are gaps.
Our intention is to commission a VCS Community Centre to deliver the Community Based part of the VCS Front Door model.
We are expecting that the commission of the Community Based provision will be:
- A pilot of 18 months.
- A total contract opportunity value £124K.
- Tendered as a Request for Quote Lite Procurement Process (which is less comprehensive than full competitive tenders).
- Approaching VCS Community Centres or partnerships/consortiums with a VCS community centre at their core.