Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland

Description

Cumberland Council wishes to commission a contract for an Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland.  Cared For Children and Young People include those in foster care, residential care, education settings and secure accommodation who:
Have had the need for an Independent Visitor identified as   being in their best interests within their care plan
and / or
Requests / agrees to the service of an Independent Visitor.
Independent Visitors are adult volunteers who provide independent, one to one support to children who are cared for, to become a consistent figure in their lives when there is no one in their family/network to take on this role.   An Independent Visitor is there to visit, advise and befriend a child / young person, offering them consistency, support and encouragement throughout the time they are in care and often beyond this time.  All visitors participating in the scheme take part on a voluntary basis.  An Independent Visitor is often the only person in the life of a cared for child / young person that is not paid to be there and is there because they want to be.  This can have a significant and positive effect on children and young people and can increase their self-confidence and self-esteem.  
The council proposes to enter into the contract from the 01st April 2026 with the successful tenderer. The initial contract period is from 01st April 2026 - 31st March 2028. The contract end date of 31st March 2030 is the date the contract will end if both of the potential 12 months extensions are used. Use of these extensions is at the absolute discretion of the council. Any extensions will be confirmed with the successful supplier if implemented.
The highest estimated value is £155,913.00  including VAT. This is for the initial term and the two potential 12 months extension periods.
For further details and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, please use our online procurement portal - The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk. You must be registered on The Chest. Registration is free.
All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.