PROVISION OF ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT VISITORS AND RETURN FROM MISSING FROM CARE INTERVIEW SERVICE

The Isle of Wight Council invited Tenders from suitably qualified providers for the provision of Advocacy,Independent Visitors and return from missing from care interview service. The contract is to run from 1st February 2016 for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for a further period of up to 2 years at the sole discretion of the Council.

The Council is looking for an organisation to provide the following services:

? An effective Advocacy Services for children and young people making a complaint under the duty of the Children Act 1989. To provide an advocacy service to vulnerable children at risk of significant harm including representation at Child Protection case conferences.

? Independent visitors for children looked after by a local authority under the duty of the Children and Young Person's Act 2008. To provide an Independent Visitor scheme to children in care.

? Independent return interviews for children missing from care in adherence with the statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care dated January 2014. To provide independent return interviews for children missing from care.

? To provide independent and confidential information, advice, representation, advocacy and support for Children in Care (C.I.C) and Care Leavers aged between 5 and 24 years and to Children in Need (CIN) supported by the Isle of Wight Council. To support them through the complaints and representations process and to help them to participate in decision making and other processes that affects their lives.

The expected allocated budget for these services is in the range of £40,000 to £60,000 per annum. The decision has been taken to disclose the range of annual budget for the services and ask that tenderers demonstrate how they can deliver the services within this range. The Council is unable to consider any submission that does not come within this figure; however, tenderers are able to submit under the allocatedbudget range.

Additional information: . .