Procurement for Semi-independent Living and Supported Accommodation Services for Looked after Children and Care Leavers Aged 16-24 2021

Concepts

• social work
• reading
• bffc
• supported accommodation services
• residential care
• best possible services
• support service
• specified services
• semi-independent living
• aim of this service

Location

Berkshire:

Description

2021 Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is a not-for-profit private limited company that is wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. BFfC was established in December 2018 and has a single purpose which is to provide the best possible services to children, young people and families in Reading. BFfC has the statutory responsibility, on behalf of the council, for the delivery of children's social care, education, Youth Offending, Special Educational needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Early Help (both interventions and prevention). The BFfC Board has overall responsibility for overseeing how the organisation is run and providing advice on its future direction and strategy. There are seven members on the board including a Chair, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Expert Non-Executive Directors. Brighter Futures for Children currently uses a framework of approved providers to identify placements for young people aged 16 and over, requiring supported accommodation. This ITT is for a 4 year Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) , with an option to extend for up to 24 months. The DPS is expected to commence on 19th August 2021 to provide the specified services to Reading young people. The aim of this service is to make a successful transition progressing young people towards independent living by providing high quality accommodation and support whilst facilitating their personal well-being, ensuring safety and equipping them with the skills required to sustain an independent tenancy long term. The service aims to provide a settled period in a safe environment where the young people will receive an intensive housing management and support service which will help them gain the necessary skills to live independently and achieve positive outcomes. The service includes a range of accommodation and support options for vulnerable young people, ranging from buildings based supported accommodation with staff on site to supported lodgings within the homes of trained hosts through to flexible outreach support to support young people wherever they live. The Service Provider will provide accommodation and/or support for the following client groups: • Looked after children aged 16 plus including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors • Care leavers (16-17) • Care leavers aged 18 plus who are awaiting access to social or private rented housing or whose needs require them to retain the accommodation and support. The Council requires a range of different services to be provided by Providers on the DPS. When applying to join the Framework, Providers will be required to identify which of the five Service Categories they can offer in response to the Company's requirements. The Service Categories are: Lot 1 - Shared house for 18 plus UASC and some other 18 plus, 2 hours keywork Lot 2 - High support 24/7 staffed, 16-17 year olds, occasionally 18 plus, 5 hours p.w 121 keywork Lot 3 - Self contained flats with floating support, 5 hours per week, for 18 plus Lot 4 - Supported lodgings for 16, 17 and 18 plus up to 21 who "Stay Put" Lot 5 - 24/7 staffed 16-17 old, UASC Providers on the DPS will be welcome to expand the range of Service Categories (Lots) that they offer at any stage by applying on the live DPS portal that they have suitable new properties for the categories The Council reserves the right to add additional Service Categories over the DPS operating period to allow for new services to be provided.

Lot Division

CPV Codes

• 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
• 85310000 - Social work services
• 85312000 - Social work services without accommodation

Indicators

• This is a recurring contract.
• Renewals are not available.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** To express an interest in this event all providers should register on the Councils e-tendering system at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home and complete as instructed. The Portal is free of charge - to register please follow the supplier registration guidance which is available on the Portal. When the tender is published on In-Tend in early April 2021 Organisations interested in expressing an interest in this procurement should download the procurement documents which are available on the Councils e-tendering system at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home and complete as instructed. Contractors wishing to be considered for this tendering opportunity must complete the tender documents and return them electronically via the Councils e-tendering portal. All communications regarding this procurement exercise will be conducted through the Councils e-tendering portal including requests for clarifications or general enquiries. The procurement documents will be available for download up until the closing time and date for tender submissions, it is the organisations responsibility to ensure that they download the documents in ample time to ensure that they can be completed and returned electronically, along with supporting documents, prior to the closing time and date stipulated. Before completing the tender, potential providers/suppliers should ensure that the e-mail address that has been used to register their organisation will be checked regularly as the Councils e-tendering system will generate automatic notifications to this e-mail address when there are updates, changes or messages sent relating to the project. Potential bidders should also check that their organisations details are correct and kept up to date. Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk - e-mail: support@in-tend.co.uk, telephone number +44 8442728810.