Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) for Fostering and Adoption 2024-2027 services

The Department for Education is seeking to appoint a contractor to provide the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) for Fostering and Adoption 2024 -2027 services.

The Independent Review Mechanism provides an essential statutory service to prospective and existing foster parents, adopters and adult adoptees. The main function of the IRM is to offer an objective and independent route for applicants to request a review of decisions made by fostering and adoption services about their approval status and access to their records. The service offered by the IRM is unique within the sector and enables applicants to have their case heard by an independent panel of children's social care experts. The service is provided for in regulations and represents an important means of support, and a form of advocacy, for applicants.

The contract will be signed in January 2024 (Contract Signature date) and will allow for a 3-month mobilsation/transition period ending on 31 March 2024.

The contract will become effective (Contract Effective date) on 1 April 2024.

The initial contract term will be 24 months (01/04/24 - 31/03/26) and include an option to extend it for the additional period of 12 months until 31/03/2027.

The optional extension period is not guaranteed and will be at the absolute discretion of The Department. Any extension will be subject to the Departments approval process, availability of budget and current performance of the supplier.

Additional information:

This open tender competition is being run via the DfE's e-procurement portal, Jaggaer. Links to the site and related guidance can be found via the following link:

Jaggaer Tender Reference - ITT_2209 - Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)