Education and training services

Tender description

Devon County Council (DCC) is seeking to procure a supplier of Children Centre Services. Children Centre Services are the key delivery mechanism for the local authority to meet their statutory duties referenced in the Childcare Act 2006, and Working Together 2013. They are seen as an integral part of how DCC carry out the duties set out in the Act above to improve the well-being of young children and reduce inequalities between them. Children Centre Services are identified as key delivery partners within the Early Help strategy and Targeted Families Support programme (national Troubled Families Programme) and are critical to the delivery of Early Help to children and families from pre-birth through to 5 years of age. The core purpose of children Centre Services is to improve outcomes for young children and their families and reduce inequalities between families in greatest need and their peers (Statutory Guidance and section 2 Childcare Act 2006). The procurement is for three (3) Children's Centres, located in Axe Valley, Honiton and Exmouth and cover a defined geographical area surrounding these centres. The Service Provider will work with partner agencies in an integrative and collaborative way to deliver an appropriate balance of universal and targeted services, dependant on an analysis of need in the reach area. They will have and promote an intentionally inclusive ethos which ensures that the service actively recognises affirms and provides for diverse needs including awareness and understanding of all protected characteristics as stated in the Equality Act 2010. Services will be provided from DCC owned buildings and will be leased to the provider for the term of the Contract and identify additional community venues in order to achieve full coverage of the reach to provide an outreach service for any family where there is an identified need to improve outcomes.