INDEPENDENT CHILD TRAFFICKING ADVOCATES

Description

The Home Office is seeking proposals from suitable organisations for the award of grant funding to enable the delivery of an independent child trafficking advocate (ICTA) service in three early adopter sites (Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Wales). The successful bidder will provide ICTAs across three early adopter sties for two years in preparation for the national roll out in England and Wales of the relevant provisions of section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the statutory basis for ICTAs). Any future roll out of a national ICTAs service would be subject to a further procurement process.

Bidders will be required to deliver outcomes for supporting child victims (under 18 years) who have been trafficked/potentially trafficked, assisting them to navigate social care, education and health systems and, where relevant, the immigration and criminal justice systems. Due to the broad skills set required and the geographical areas covered by the service, collaborative proposals are particularly welcome.

The supplier will be funded around £950K (total) through a Grant Agreement, not a contract signed with the Authority covering the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19. The programme is expected to run for a maximum duration of two years from November 2016, with the supported children then either being transferred to the new national provider/s or exiting the service. No further funding will be available and bidders should make clear how they will successfully manage the children’s transition out of the service, to other statutory services and the new national service.

The supplier will need to be compliant with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act and other legislation in England and Wales, including working with the differing legislation in England and Wales.

All applications will be submitted electronically via the online e-sourcing portal (Emptoris), for which potential suppliers will need to be registered. The rules governing proportionality, transparency, mutual recognition, equal treatment and non-discrimination will apply. Home Office will also hold a clarifications meeting on 09 August. Places are limited and will be limited to a maximum of two per organisation. To register on Emptoris and to attend this event, interested parties will be required to submit a signed non-disclosure agreement. To register on Emptoris and sign the non-disclosure agreement please contact OGD&GRantsTeam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

The competition for this grant funding will launch on 29th July 2016 with a deadline for submission of Monday 18th August 2016 (4pm)

Additional information: For further information please use the email OGD&GrantsTeam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk