The Executive Office (TEO) Communities in Transition (CIT) Pilot Programme - Raising aspirations for compulsory school age children (aged 4 – 11 years) and young people (aged 12 – 16 years) in the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT Area

Tender description

TEO is seeking to establish a Contract for the provision of pilot programme that has the potential to improve educational, employment and life aspirations for compulsory school age in the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT Area; Annex A of the Specification provides maps of the designated CIT area. It is envisioned that the Contractor will also operate in an ‘area of influence’ around the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT area. The core area provides a focal point for action and investment. The concept of a wider area of influence, that is not sharply defined, acknowledges that thriving places require wider connection to both physical and social assets. Investment decisions and actions will be informed by the likely impact on core areas. The Contractor will develop and design the programme in a way that ensures it can be delivered in line with work already undertaken to date in the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT Area as part of the CIT Project; paragraph 6.2 of the Specification provides further details. The Contractor’s programme must be co-designed through a participatory approach with the community and relevant stakeholders therefore they will need to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT Area and the issues of addressing the needs of children and young people within it. The Contractor will also need to adopt a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of Services, instigating an extensive outreach programme of activity to target all eligible Individuals located in the CIT Area. It is envisaged that the Contractor will incorporate the following elements within their programme: Stakeholder Engagement, Raising Aspirations (age 12-16 years), Supporting Educational Attainment (focused on young people age 4 -11 years with the involvement of parents/carers and local influencers, and Broadening Support Networks. Full details of the specific Contract requirements are provided for throughout the Specification of Requirements Schedule. The expected outcomes from delivering this Contract are: • A number of relevant stakeholders engaged with and involved in the delivery of the programme thereby increasing collaborative working; • A range of creative events/activities held to engage and inspire children and young people, their parents/carers and other key influencers to participate in the programme; • Deliver a sustained youth support programme to at least 80 compulsory school age young people (aged 12-16 years old) in raising aspirations to gain skilled or professional employment and a good quality of lifeyears engaged in the raising aspirations programme; • Deliver a sustained youth support programme to at least 80 compulsory school age children (aged 4-11 years old) in supporting educational attainment; and • A number of networking and awareness raising events delivered, giving opportunities to children and young people and their parents/carers to get involved in community life, in broadening their support and social networks. It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in December 2020 and run for a period of 12 months subject to the Conditions outlined in paragraphs 5.1 – 5.4 of the Specification of Requirements Schedule.