Social work services

Tender description

Norfolk County Council has extended its light touch regime framework agreement for children who are looked after and/or have special educational needs to include new lots for family assessments. The use of these lots will be restricted to use by Norfolk County Council only. Applications to lots 1 to 4 have been open since 2017 and can still be made on an open basis, as can applications to lot 5. This is a light touch regime framework agreement let under Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), under which the Council has flexibility regarding the process or procedure to be used when purchasing certain services, which includes LAC and SEN and family assessment services. In this instance, the Council has extended a framework agreement with multiple suppliers that sets out the terms and conditions for buying specific services (call-offs). The framework agreement differs from those let under the non-light touch regime in that the Council, exercising its flexibility, will keep the framework open for new applicants. It is the Council’s intention that new providers will be able to apply to join the framework on an open basis on the same terms and conditions and on the same criteria as stated in the invitation to tender, unless the Council deems that amendments are required as a result of changes in legislation or changes within the Council. The Council reserves the right however, to close the framework for new applications if it deems this appropriate. The Council has exercised its right to extend the service specification under the existing framework agreement to include areas of provision not included in the contract at the outset of this framework agreement. As the Council has extended the service specification, all providers whether they had previously applied to join the framework or not, were eligible to apply to provide services against the extended service specification, and still are as the framework continues to be open to new applicants. This Lot 5a is for residential parenting assessment placement beds. The aim of the service is to assess parenting capacity and make evidenced judgements about parents' capacity to provide good enough parenting in relation to the specific needs of their children. The prime function of the assessment service will be to advise NCC Children's Services and provide recommendations for future actions. Service outcomes are: (a) to reduce delay in care proceedings; (b) to inform care plans in a timely and efficient manner; (c) to keep children safe; (d) develop outcome focused child protection plans based on ‘signs of safety’ and ‘strengthening families’ approaches; (e) engagement with families (including extended families and friendship groups) to ensure that children are safe. This is a light touch regime framework agreement let under Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), under which the Council has flexibility regarding the process or procedure to be used when purchasing certain services, which includes LAC and SEN and family assessment services. In this instance, the Council has extended a framework agreement with multiple suppliers that sets out the terms and conditions for buying specific services (call-offs). The framework agreement differs from those let under the non-light touch regime in that the Council, exercising its flexibility, will keep the framework open for new applicants. It is the Council’s intention that new providers will be able to apply to join the framework on an open basis on the same terms and conditions and on the same criteria as stated in the invitation to tender, unless the Council deems that amendments are required as a result of changes in legislation or changes within the Council. The Council reserves the right however, to close the framework for new applications if it deems this appropriate. The Council has exercised its right to extend the service specification under the existing framework agreement to include areas of provision not included in the contract at the outset of this framework agreement. As the Council has extended the service specification, all providers whether they had previously applied to join the framework or not, were eligible to apply to provide services against the extended service specification, and still are as the framework continues to be open to new applicants. This Lot 5b is for community parenting assessments. The aim of the service is to assess parenting capacity and make evidenced judgements about parents' capacity to provide good enough parenting in relation to the specific needs of their children. The prime function of the assessment service will be to advise NCC Children's Services and provide recommendations for future actions. Service outcomes are: (a) to reduce delay in care proceedings; (b) to inform care plans in a timely and efficient manner; (c) to keep children safe; (d) develop outcome focused child protection plans based on ‘signs of safety’ and ‘strengthening families’ approaches; (e) engagement with families (including extended families and friendship groups) to ensure that children are safe.