Health and social work services

Tender description

The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) recognises the importance of supporting the inclusion of children with additional support needs, from 0-18 years, in Care Inspectorate registered mainstream childcare settings which enables their parents/carers to continue or return to employment, training or education. Within the context of this service, the Service User may be a child or young person (C&YP), their family or the childcare provider. The main objectives of this service are as follows: 1. To support mainstream childcare providers including those who run playgroups, partner provider nurseries, local authority nurseries who offer childcare element, after school clubs, breakfast clubs, and holiday clubs to include C&YP with additional support needs to meaningfully and positively access their service. 2. Funds will not be used to provide support to a childcare provider where the main purpose of its service is to provide childcare services for children with additional support needs. This includes childcare providers which give priority to children /young people with additional support needs, or any childcare provider affiliated with specialist education services. 3. To provide C&YP with early learning and childcare support that can meet their developmental needs including basic medical needs. 4. To enable parents/carers to remain in or take up work, training or employment opportunities by having the benefit of a confident and well trained childcare provider. This will also provide parents/carers with a positive experience of the mainstream childcare sector. 5. To promote social inclusion and choice for all C&YP with a disability who would like to access a mainstream childcare setting. 6. To promote an understanding of issues related to C&YP with additional support needs and their families primarily within the childcare sector but also amongst the local community, relevant organisations and local community groups. The purpose of this notice is to test the current and future market capacity to deliver an Inclusive Childcare and Support service for children with additional support needs in Edinburgh. Notes of interest should be made no later than Monday 15th February. Note: by noting interest you are agreeing to further engagement with the Council. There is no guarantee there will be a future tender opportunity. If authorised, this service may be subject to a full tender process during the year 2016. Note: to register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=429251