Milton Keynes Council - Children's Voice Services

Milton Keynes Council is embarking on a tender process for the provision of Children's Voice Services which support children and young people to have a say in their care.

Milton Keynes Council is combining Independent Visitors, Independent Return Interviews, Children's Advocacy and Regulation 44 Visitor services in to one block contract to run for three years with the option of extending for a further one plus one year.

Children's Advocacy will support children who are going through care proceedings or who are already in care and need support to understand their choices and have a voice in all aspects of their lives. Advocacy services will help children to express their wishes and feelings and ensure these are heard by professionals involved in their care.

Independent Visitors will befriend Looked After Children and make monthly visits to engage in an activity of the child's choice.

Independent Return Interviews will be conducted for looked after children living outside of the Borough of Milton Keynes with the aim of understanding the reasons for them running away, reducing any identified risk or harm, reducing the probability of them going missing again but equally equipping them to stay safe should they run away again.

The Regulation 44 Visitor will visit three homes in Milton Keynes and compile a report setting out their opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and whether the children's wellbeing is promoted.

The expectation is that all four services will report to a Service Manager who is easily accessible and can build good relationships with Children's Services based in Milton Keynes