14 July 2024
Typical Stepping On session - older people doing group exercise.

Help reduce falls-related injuries among older people in our community. Eligible organisations are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to deliver the Stepping On – Falls Prevention program within South Western Sydney.

 

Procurement overview

SWSPHN is seeking to commission an organisation with experience delivering the Stepping On program or a similar program. Your organisation will be expected to provide the program within South Western Sydney, which consists of the Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee local government areas. Phase one will commence in October 2024, and full implementation will commence from January 2025 and run for 12 months.

 

 

About Stepping On

Stepping On is for older adults living in the community who are aged 65 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 45 and over. It is appropriate for older people who:

Stepping On logo

  • have had a fall in the past year or have a fear of falling
  • are living independently with or without a walking stick
  • able to speak conversational English or the language in which the group is facilitated

The program is not appropriate for people with cognitive impairments which limit their ability to follow instructions or participate in a group setting (eg dementia, Parkinson’s disease), those who do not live independently in the community or are in an assisted living facility, and those who are permanently dependent on a walking frame.

Program objectives are to

  • increase awareness of falls risk and develop knowledge to prevent falls
  • assist older people in maintaining personal independence
  • encourage, inform, and improve older people’s physical activity skills with a focus on strength and balance training
  • increase self-efficacy in participants, which facilitates a follow-through with falls prevention strategies
  • use a cognitive behavioural approach to find new ways of thinking and behaving in relation to falls prevention in a small group context

Each program runs for seven weeks with a booster session. Weekly sessions are two hours long. Key content includes balance and strength exercises, home hazard solutions, community safety, safe footwear, implementing medication reviews, low vision and falls, vitamin D and calcium and public transport safety.

New program facilitators will be required to undertake Stepping On training to become a qualified facilitator.

 

Proposal timeline

Action Date
RFP open Monday, 15 July 2024
Last queries date Wednesday, 7 August 2024
RFP closing date Monday, 12 August 2024 @ 5pm
Evaluation period 13 August – 27 August 2024
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations September 2024
Unsuccessful applicants notified September 2024
Contract commencement  1 October 2024
Phase 1 establishment October 2024
Phase 2 establishment January 2025

 

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties will need to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

  • will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
  • can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
  • can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
  • will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility
Tenderlink

 

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Anna Dasler, Integration and Priority Populations Team Lead at anna.dasler@swsphn.com.au or Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care of Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au