The Executive Office (TEO) Communities in Transition (CIT): Raising Aspirations for Young People (aged 4 – 16 years) Programme in the Carrickfergus and Larne CIT Area

Tender description

The Executive Office (TEO) is seeking to establish a Contract for the provision of a programme that has the potential to improve educational, employment and life aspirations for young people (aged 4 – 16 years), as well as providing additional supports for families and communities who are raising young people within 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 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 be responsible for incorporating and delivering the following elements within their programme: Stakeholder Engagement, Raising Aspirations (aged 4 – 16 years), Build the capacity of parents, families and the wider community to support the young people to achieve, Broadening Support Networks and Delivery of a programme of activities / interventions to address the identified needs in the area. Full details of the specific Contract requirements are provided for throughout the Specification of Requirements Schedule. The expected outcomes from delivering this Contract are: • Raise employment and life aspirations of young people • Improve learning outcomes for young people • Build the capacity of parents, families and the wider community to support the young people to achieve the necessary skills and qualifications to enable them to aspire to a better quality of life All activities which the Contractor proposes to carry out must clearly link to the objectives listed above and to the Benefits Framework (as listed at paragraph 6.5 of the Specification). The Contractor must therefore not be delivering general activities for young people as part of this programme, activities must be clearly linked to tackling paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime issues. It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in early October 2022 and shall continue for a period of 18 months, up to 31 March 2024.