Welfare services for children and young people

Tender description

This is a preventative service known as the Edinburgh Young Carers Project (EYPJ) which provides a range of support, services and activities designed to improve the lives of young carers (children and young people aged 5 to 20 years who care for someone else at home). The provider also works on raising further awareness of young carers through campaigning and their Schools Awareness Raising Project, which has identified many more young carers than previously known. The direct award of this contract is in the best interests of the young carers. This is a preventative service which builds resilience and provides support and respite before other more costly interventions are required. The direct award of this two year contract will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and accompanying guidance provided by the Scottish Government which is estimated to be released in May 2017. It will also allow time for a full review of the service to be conducted, work to develop a revised specification and agreement on a procurement route for services beyond April 2019.