Advocacy & Independent Visitors for Children

Description

Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council are jointly contracting for a service providing independent visitors, and independent advocacy, information, advice and support to children and young people in order to meet our statutory obligations. The service will be provided for children and young people who are receiving a service from WCC or CCC and wish to have the support of an advocate. This includes children and young people who are; • aged 4 to 18 and looked after under the Children Act 1989, s.20 or s. or 25 if they have special educational needs and/or disability • care leavers, aged 16 - 25 under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and Children & Social Work Act 2017 • subject to a family group conference or child protection conference • aged 16/17 and presenting as homeless to WCC or CCC • considering or wishing to make a complaint about the service they receive from WCC or CCC • young carers who may need support in adulthood (Care Act 2014) • young people defined as a 'Child In Need' (Children's Act 1989) within private fostering arrangements Lot 1: The service is to provide independent visitors, and independent advocacy, information, advice and support to children and young people. The outcomes of the service are: Be Healthy Be Safe Be Happy Be Skilled Be Heard The Advocacy service will be delivered in line with the National Standards for the Provision of Children's Advocacy Services 2023 - National Standards for the Provision of Children and Young People Advocacy Services September 2023.pdf The Independent Visitors Service will be delivered in line with the National Standards for the Provision of Independent Visitor Services 2016. National Independent Visitor Services 2016 Additional information: The contract will be for 3 years with the option to extend for a minimum of 3 years up to a maximum of 84 months at the discretion of the Council based on the contract performance of the successful applicant. The maximum end date with extensions will be 31st March 2035.