Education and training services

Tender description

We plan to develop up to 10 demonstrator hubs to implement partnerships between independent (day and boarding schools) and local authorities, supported by a delivery partner and placement brokerage service. The project has 2 main objectives: 1) Improving looked-after children’s access to places in independent and boarding schools: (a) improving the support they offer to looked-after children in state-funded schools; and (b) providing opportunities for looked-after children with specific aspirations or talents. Where possible, the hubs will build on existing work; in developing the hubs and aspects of partnership focused on placements in independent boarding schools. On 4.4.2018, The Department for Education (DfE) announced a national scheme creating partnerships between independent schools, state schools, virtual schools and local authorities to boost opportunities for looked after children. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mentoring-schemes-and-top-scholarships-for-children-in-care We plan to develop up to 10 demonstrator hubs to implement partnerships between independent (day and boarding schools) and local authorities, supported by a delivery partner and placement brokerage service. The project has 2 main objectives: 1) Improving looked-after children’s access to places in independent and boarding schools: (a) improving the support they offer to looked-after children in state-funded schools; and (b) providing opportunities for looked-after children with specific aspirations or talents. The project is designed to test approaches over 2 academic years — providing a clear framework, including financial models that other areas can use for a national roll-out. Our vision is to open up the full breadth of educational opportunities to looked-after children and build partnerships that support their attainment and ambition. Where possible, the hubs will build on existing work; in developing the hubs and aspects of partnership focused on placements in independent boarding schools. We are seeking a partner (or a consortia of partners) to deliver on this project over 2 academic years with funding available up to 500 000 GBP. Once approved the contractor would be expected to work with the DfE to deliver on the DfE’s outcomes for the project. Outcomes: — increased number of looked-after children in participating Local Authority areas able to access meaningful support activity from independent and boarding schools, — increased number of partnerships between independent schools, boarding schools and state funded schools to provide academic support for looked-after children and access to facilities and activities, — agreement in place between local consortia of independent/boarding schools, state schools and LAs setting out the support, activities and facilities looked-after children can access and how these will be supported by both schools and LAs.