ESCC/JL Framework for Independent Providers of Foster Care Services - AWARD

East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council (Participating Authorities) is inviting Independent Foster Care Agencies to apply to join a new Framework for the purchase of foster care placements as required.

Agencies wishing to be considered will be able to demonstrate effective business models, and that the latest Ofsted inspection for the relevant Registered Office(s) be an overall quality rating of good or outstanding.

Agencies will have an ability to provide family placements within a 20 mile radius of each council, with appropriate local support mechanisms for foster carers. They should be able to provide any or all of the placement categories below for both able bodied and disabled children aged 0 - 18 years (0 - 19 years for children with a disability) including sibling groups:

• oEmergency and short term placements
• oPermanent placements
• oRespite placements
• oRemand placements
• oMother/parent and baby assessment placements
• oSpecialist placements for disabled children

The number of Looked After children by East Sussex County Council as at the 31st December 2016 was 567 of these 83 children were placed with independent fostering agencies (IFA). In Brighton and Hove Council these figures at the same date were 466 Looked After children of these 126 were placed with IFA's

The Framework Agreement will be with East Sussex County Council (The Lead Authority) and will be for an initial two year period to commence on the 1 April 2017 until the 31st March 2019. There will be an option for the Lead Authority to extend the Framework Agreement for a further two periods of two years to a potential maximum term of six years.

The Participating Authorities cannot and does not commit to or guarantee a stated volume of placements under this Framework.

East Sussex County Council will commence using this framework from the 1st April 2017. Brighton and Hove City Council will commence using this framework at later date to be determined in the initial period.

To apply, please click on the Express Interest button, if you are not registered with the portal you will be required to do so to continue. All tender documents will be available within the ITT tab for this procurement once you have expressed interest.

Please ensure you read the Guidance and Instructions carefully to respond to this Invitation to Tender.