Social work and related services

Tender description

1.1) In 2016 a cross-government strategy keep on caring included a commitment to introduce a non-statutory Care Leaver Covenant. The rationale was that while local authorities have statutory duties for the looked-after children who leave their care they cannot do that alone. There is a role for wider society. Other public sector organisations as well as those in the private and voluntary sectors have a role in helping care leavers to thrive and reach their potential as active members of society. 1.2) A delivery partner was appointed in January 2018 under open competition to develop the Care Leaver Covenant by recruiting signatory organisations and obtaining from them meaningful and quality offers that supported care leavers to achieve one or more of the five outcomes in keep on caring. 1.3) The current contract to deliver the Care Leaver Covenant expires on 31 March 2020. The Department is therefore inviting bids from organisations to continue delivering the Care Leaver Covenant. The contract is to be for a period of 1 year (2020-21), with the opportunity to extend for 1 year (2021-22) and a further year (2022-23).