Communities that Care

Tender description

In October 2016, after meeting with and listening to children and young people in care, Scotland’s First Minister announced “an independent, root and branch review of the care system” to look at “the underpinning legislation, practices, culture and ethos” of that system. The Independent Care Review began its work in February 2017, concluded the research in February 2020. The overall finding was that the care system was broken and required a radical change to make sure our care experienced children and young people enjoy the same opportunities and rights as every other child. One of the reports the review produced is called 'The Promise’. As a local authority and Community Planning Partnership NAC has signed up to 'The Promise’ and the associated findings. In October 2020, another report ‘#KeepThePromise’ was produced setting out the high-level priorities. In April 2021 the National Promise Team published the 2021-2024 Plan that sets out these priorities in further detail. NAC has initiated A Promise Oversight Board. This Board will look at how NAC take 'The Promise' forward. As part of North Ayrshire’s approach to delivering against the Promise and the “change care” agenda a 9-month project has been scoped at three levels and we are looking for a provider to support us to deliver to all three of those. - Practitioner Level – The Promise recognised the significance of schools and stated that “Through their daily interaction with children, schools in Scotland provide places, relationships and opportunities for all children and have a particular importance for care experienced pupils.” The provider will work in partnership with NAC and other stakeholders to develop and deliver a range of participation and educational activities that will benefit care experienced people in North Ayrshire. - Leadership Level – The provider will contribute to North Ayrshire Council’s local response to improving local services for care experienced people, contributing to steering groups and other planning forums, whilst offering our expertise and insight to realising ‘The Promise’. - Strategic Level – The provider will contribute to NAC’s senior management team and the development of NAC’s strategic relationship around our aspirations for the ‘change care’ agenda that looks beyond the roadmap provide by ‘The Promise’ to ensure this supports NAC’s Community Wealth Building strategy. The successful bidder must have the capabilities and experience to take a lead role in the development of the levels and contribute to the shaping of North Ayrshire’s approach to implementation of the Promise.