15-102 Provision of Independent Fostering Placements

Tender description

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council are seeking partner independent fostering agencies to operate within a framework agreement for the next three years from 1st April 2016 with the option to extend the agreement for an additional year. Rotherham currently has a LAC population of 409 and of these 104 young people are placed in independent fostering placements. Of these 56 are in standard placements, 33 in enhanced placements and 15 in solo placements. Since January 2014 we have made 33 new standard placements, 23 new enhanced placements and 10 new solo placements. The total annual value of these new placements is in the order of £1.9M, however this does not carry any guarantee of turnover and any estimated volumes of business are indicative and may vary upwards or downwards depending on actual future needs. We will appoint sufficient agencies to the framework as is felt necessary to meet our needs and reserve the right to appoint additional agencies during the lifetime of the agreement to maintain the necessary level of capacity. If this becomes necessary a separate re-tender exercise will be conducted. Full details of the expectations of successful agencies can be found in the accompanying contract and service specification.