Bespoke Packages of Care Service for Children in Need, Children in Care, Children with a Disability and Children subject to a Child Protection Plan

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a legal responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in their area in accordance with section 17 of the Children's Act 1989. The Council is advertising to seek tenders from suitably experienced and qualified organisations to join our new open framework of providers for the provision of Bespoke Packages of Care Services.

The new contracts are expected to run for a period of eight (8) years commencing on the 01st of October 2025. The award of contracts will be based on the most advantageous tender.

The service will provide bespoke support and intervention packages of care for children in need, children in care, children with disabilities and children subject to a child protection plan. The support and intervention will be targeted and focused on the following type of cases:

Edge of care: intervention is targeted towards families whose children are at risk of coming into care without significant intervention. Bespoke packages will be specifically focused on ameliorating familial issues, reducing the need of children and/or young people to come into the care system

Rehabilitation: intervention is targeted at children and/or young people that are already in the care system. Bespoke packages will be specifically focused on preparing the children/young people and their families for reunification, and thus exit from the care system to return home safely.

Fragile Placement/Outreach Packages: intervention is targeted at children and/or young people who are already in the care system with a placement that is on the verge of breakdown. Bespoke packages will be specifically focused on preventing placement breakdown.

Support packages could be put in place for hours, days, weeks or months. The type of support required will vary from family to family but will not include domestic or home care.

Support and intervention packages will be tailored specifically by the Councils Specialist Intervention Service, to meet the needs of the child/young person and/or their families. Contractors will be required to deliver the support and intervention under the co-ordination of the Specialist Intervention Service.

To achieve our vision, we will need to work with contractors who can demonstrate specific experience for this specialist area of work. Organisations who wish to express an interest must:

Have at least one-year relevant experience in delivering this type of service;

Employ Family Support Workers with relevant experience of working within a children's social care setting or similar e.g. residential children's home, school support or have relevant experience that is transferable.

Have a qualified and experienced Social Work Manager who can demonstrate the following:

a valid Social Work England (SWE) registration;

a minimum of two years child protection experience;

a minimum of two years court experience, including court proceedings;

who supervises, directs and guides all Family Support Workers, required for this service

Agree to work in partnership with the Local Authority and adhere to a strict performance monitoring programme.