Social work and related services

Tender description

Portsmouth City Council, 'the Authority', has awarded a contract for the delivery of a service that provides support for families where the role of volunteers is a key element. This Contract is part of the Authority's integrated early help and prevention service, as directed by the Stronger futures board. The service will commence on the 1.4.2018 for an initial contract period of 3 years with the option to extend the term by a further 2 years to a total term of 5 years in increments to be agreed subject to performance. The estimated value of the contract at current volume is 154 000 GBP per annum. The overall aim of The Early help and prevention service is to offer services that improve outcomes in life for children aged 0 - 19 years (25 years for Send) that meet the tier 3 threshold. There are 3 key elements to the Stronger futures agenda: 1. A sustainable children's system 2. A consistent restorative approach 3. Effective early intervention The targeted offer for 0 - 5 year olds is led by the Health visiting team, Solent NHS trust. The provider will be required to be part of an agreed tier 3 package of support. This service will be part of the Health visiting enhanced support package for families that have 2 or more areas of need identified and where the Health visitor will be undertaking the Lead professional role. Volunteers will have a role in delivering this aspect of the support service. The universal offer for 0 - 5 year olds provided in the Family hubs is required to be delivered by trained and supported volunteers. Whilst the service will work predominantly with parents and carers with children aged 0-5 years old the provider may also be required to recruit volunteers to provide services for parents and carers with children aged 5 - 19 years. The Authority is looking for a provider that has experience of working with families, encouraging them to move down the tiers of need, sustain this and overall improve their children's outcomes in life. Aims and objectives: — To deliver outreach work with targeted families who have children aged pre-birth to 5. The families will be identified by the Health Visitor. — Support for families transitioning from tiers 4 to 3 and whom show evidence of sustaining this step down. This will be for no more than 9 months. — Support for families at tier 3 will be for 6 - 9 months depending on the need identified in the Early help plan by the Health visitor. — The provider will be required to provide progress reports and attend Team around the family (TAF) meetings, as requested by the Lead professional. — To recruit, train, develop and support volunteers that can provide outreach family support. — To recruit, train, develop and support volunteers that can provide universal school readiness groups for families across the City with children aged 0 - 5. — The provider may also be required to recruit volunteers to provide services for parents and carers with children aged 5 - 19 years. — Provide robust support, guidance and development to the Parent and carer board. This provision will enable the Board to contribute fully to strategic planning for services across the City Council that supports families. — To work with families in a restorative way. — To provide a quarterly performance report of the work undertaken to evidence improved outcomes for children and families. — To be able to provide evidence for identified 'Troubled families', which demonstrates change and supports the Payment By Results procedures. — To ensure that any concerns for children and families at risk are reported to Health, the Lead professional or appropriate body in a timely way. During the course of the contract, legislation, priorities and demand for services may change. The winning provider will be flexible and work with the Authority to discuss and agree changes to the specification.