Supervised Contact Service

The Council are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced organisation for the provision of supervised contact services for children and young people in Buckinghamshire. The definition of supervised contact in context of this service is contact arranged for children who are - § Subject of care proceedings (as defined by the Children Act 1989)<u></u> § Where proceedings have ended and children & YP remain in the care of the Local Authority<u></u> § Provided with accommodation by the Local Authority under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989<u></u> For all these children the risks and concerns regarding the significant adults in their immediate and extended family are such that supervised contact needs to be fully supervised monitored and recorded. Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) has a responsibility to promote contact between children who are being looked after and their families of origin, in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and associated Regulation and Guidance. All children will be enabled to have reasonable contact with parents, siblings, grandparents and other significant people, provided that such contact is in their best interests and needs. Buckinghamshire County Council currently provides the majority of its supervised contact work to meet its statutory obligations through an internal service. The County Council is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced organisation to provide support to the internal service by picking up additional referrals. The contract will be awarded initially for 3 years with a possibility to extend for a further two years, depending on performance and availability of funding. If your organisation wishes to participate in this process, you need to register with the South East Business Portal (SEBP) and follow the instructions. You be unable to take part if you do not register. Please use the link below and follow the instructions on the website: https://www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk Tenders must be returned via the SEBP. The tender return date is midday on 16th March 2015. Tenders received after this time and date will not be accepted.