Published date: 16 July 2018

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 31 July 2018

Contract summary

Industry

  • Health and social work services - 85000000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£1,200,000

Procurement reference

30364

Published date

16 July 2018

Closing date

31 July 2018

Contract start date

1 October 2018

Contract end date

31 March 2020

Contract type

Not specified

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

No

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No


Description

The department is looking to procure a family advice support service that provides:

• information and guidance to families to enable them to resolve issues at the earliest possible stage, creating more positive interactions for families, and enhancing the likelihood of positive outcomes;

• independent, impartial, up to date, personalised support on issues of children and families and how to access support;

• services covering free holistic advice and family support for vulnerable children, parent-child relationships, early family support (including child development), safeguarding, education, childcare, well-being, special education needs, child maintenance and with help for housing, money and benefits;

• effective information and signposting to families to sources of support;

• effective outcomes, whilst enhancing long term sustainability for families, making them less dependent upon central funding;

• support for harder-to-reach groups who might be less likely or less aware of their entitlement to these services. The service will identify these groups and have plans in place to address and overcome barriers and issues;

• a service which keeps pace with government priorities; and

• a service which engages local authorities (England) and reminds them of their responsibilities to promote and provide advice to families.

The service must also:

• offer a strong digital presence that allows, wherever possible, individuals and families to 'self-serve';

• be delivered online and/or through telephony;

• be staffed by appropriately trained staff; and

• allow users to be signposted to the right agencies according to their needs;

The Service shall be available to all residents of England.


The service shall operate Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm excluding Bank Holidays and ensure that families have access to it at advertised times.


Email advice shall be made available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. An email address shall be provided and all email responded to within 5 working days of receipt, an automated response shall indicate this.


The supplier shall operate an associated website available 24/7 - with links to related organisations. Any online content would either need to be hosted on gov.uk and follow government service standards or will need to have secured suitable website exemption.


Provide a signposting service to other independent and in-house providers.

A clear complaints process shall be put in place setting out how complaints will be handled, timescales for response, escalation criteria and appeals procedure.


More information

Additional text

Please note that the DfE will be utilising its own e-Tendering portal for this procurement
This can be accessed via the following URL:
https://education.bravosolution.co.uk
Once organisations have registered there, and received their temporary password, they will be able to sign in, express an interest and access all the procurement documentation necessary for completing their bid.


About the buyer

Address

Department for Education
Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, Cheylesmore
Coventry
CV1 2WT
England

Email

sourcing.help@education.gov.uk