The Provision of Advocacy and an Independent Visitor Scheme for Children and Young People

The Provision of Advocacy and an Independent Visitor Scheme for Children and Young People DN525363 E-tender, Open Tender Procedure (subject to light touch regime) Article 74 (Health, social and related services)

Dorset Council is seeking tenders from suitably experienced and capable service providers for an Advocacy and an Independent Visitor Scheme for Children and Young People.

The longer term vision for children and young people in Dorset has been launched by the Dorset Strategic Alliance for Children and Young People and is detailed in the Children, Young People and Families Plan 2020-2023. The priorities for children and young people in Dorset are identified in this plan:

Best Start in Life, Young and Thriving, Good Care Provision, The Best Education for All, Delivering Locally, Best Place to Live.

There is a statutory duty to provide an independent advocacy service that supports children and young people to have their views and wishes taken into account when key decisions are being made about their lives.

There is a statutory duty to provide an Independent Visitor Service for children in care, if it would be in the child's best interest to have one.

The specification attached to this tender, details the service aims and service description for both Advocacy and Independent Visitor Scheme and details the principles, performance management, service delivery and annual service plans for this service.

The contract will commence from 1st August 2021 and will run for a period of 2 years, with the possibility of a further 12-month extension period.

The Contract Value is £132,825 per annum and Total Contract Value including any potential extension (total of three years) is £398,475.

Please note the reference to TUPE in the Procurement Document - Open Tender Procedure.