Bradford Children's Trust Chair

Children's services in Bradford were judged to be inadequate, by Ofsted, in September 2018. The Department responded by appointing an improvement adviser to oversee and drive improvements to Bradford's Children's Services. In September 2021, due to concerns about pace of progress and concerns raised by Ofsted, the Department escalated its intervention in Bradford by replacing the Improvement Notice with a Statutory Direction and appointing a commissioner.

The Commissioner undertook a 3-month review, which concluded at the end of January 2022, to assess whether Bradford has the capability and capacity to continue to deliver children's social care services. His recommendation was for services to be removed from council control and a Trust be put in place. The Council has agreed to establishing a wholly-owned, not for profit company (children's services trust), which will discharge the Council's children's social care functions on its behalf.

To establish the Trust, it will be necessary to appoint an independent chair. The Chair is a Secretary of State appointment, whilst the Council's children's social care services are subject to Government intervention.

The chair will be required to work a maximum of five days per month, leading on the transition process and the formation of the new children's trust. Day rates are capped at £800 per day including expenses but excluding VAT.

Following the evaluation of all received bids, successful tenderers (those who scored above a 2 on all technical questions) will be required to attend a final interview selection process on Friday the 11th of March from which the supplier will be selected.