Edge of Care Service

A Contract is required for the provision of an Edge of Care Service to support families in Lincolnshire who are at a time of crisis and are at risk of their Children/Young People (CYP) entering the Care of the Local Authority.

The Supplier shall operate a Volunteer network to assist in supporting families to prevent escalation of need; lower the risk of child abuse and neglect; and help reduce the overall number of CYP becoming a Child in Care (CiC) in Lincolnshire.

Through its Volunteer network, the Supplier shall provide support to families through a range of timely and focussed interventions which shall include (but is not limited to):

⬢ befriending and mentoring - including providing positive role model(s);

⬢ assisting with parenting skills (e.g. bedtime routines);

⬢ practical support such as improving their home environment;

⬢ donating provisions of goods and resources for example play and learning aids for children, kitchen equipment, decorating supplies etc;

⬢ virtual support where face to face support is impractical, untimely, or unavailable;

⬢ day-time care and time-limited overnight stays for CYP.

The service shall promote the importance of early intervention and support to families and CYP in Lincolnshire, and enhance the resilience of families. This shall enable sustained healthy parenting in order to help maintain CYP at home with their families.

The Contract is required for a period of 24 months from 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026, with the possibility of an extension for a 12 month period from 1st July 2026 until 30th June 2027.