Needs Assessment Office for People with Disabilities

The Cantonal Council of the Canton of St.Gallen has passed an amendment to the Law on Social Security and Integration of People with Disabilities (BehG) that strengthens the freedom of choice for people with disabilities through outpatient services in the area of housing. A central element of the new law is the needs assessment. The individual support needs of the person with a disability are recorded using a standardized needs assessment procedure, and based on this, it is determined which support services are necessary. The present tender aims to evaluate a competent and capable provider who will act as the needs assessment office to conduct needs assessments for people with disabilities in the Canton of St.Gallen during the service period of 2027 to 2031, with an optional extension until 2036. The office is responsible for needs assessments for the use of outpatient and inpatient care services. The needs assessment office plays a central steering role in the needs assessment process. It checks and validates the individual support needs of people with disabilities, determines the recognized need, and assesses the necessary services. The actual needs assessment by the office is carried out in a cooperative dialogue. The person to be assessed is the focus and steers the process. This should be designed situationally – e.g., in terms of duration, accompanying persons/peers involved, and place of execution (preferably in the individual living environment). Two basic services will be awarded: GL01: One-time setup and readiness work (for setting up the needs assessment office) GL02: Determination of individual support needs and provision of recommendations on the need for services (including consideration of possible third-party services) The legal amendment is subject to the mandatory financial referendum, which is why a popular vote will be held in November 2026. The award is dependent on the outcome of this vote.