The Provision of Family Group Conferences for Children and Young People

The Provision of Family Group Conferences for Children and Young People - DN530075

E-tender, Open Tender Procedure - Below OJEU threshold (£663,540) - social and other specific services (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 a Family Group Conferences Service 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

Children, Young People and Families Plan 2020-2023 is available at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/childrens-plan/childrens-plan.aspx

A Family Group Conference is a meeting facilitated independently and led by family members to plan and make decisions for a child who is at risk or in need of support. The child is often involved in the meeting, with the support of an advocate if required.

This brings family members and friends together to explore the identified risks/needs and seek their own solutions to these risks supported by a facilitator in discussion with the lead professional and within a professionally supportive framework.

A Family Group Conference Review meeting is used to revisit the family's previously made plan. It provides an opportunity to identify what is working well, and if anything needs to be done differently to ensure that the identified outcomes are met.

Family Group Conferences increase the likelihood of developing child and family centred solutions that enable the child to remain safely with parents or extended family members.

The specification attached to this tender, details the service aims, service description 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 £150,000 per annum and Total Contract Value including any potential extension (total of three years) is £450,000.

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