SS16 054 External Fostering Placements for Children and Young People

Kent County Council and Medway Council are seeking tenders from suitably experienced providers who can deliver high quality foster care that provides stability and meets individual children’s and young people’s needs and outcomes, at the right time, with the right carers, in the right location and at the right price.

The Council is seeking to work in partnership with a number of Independent Fostering Providers (IFP) to achieve the required Service Outcomes and Individual Outcomes for each Child/Young Person, according to the Individual Placement Agreement and their Individual Care Plan, Education, Health and Care Plan or Pathway Plan.
The Council require the following range of specific placement types:

• Long Term placements (as per the Care/Placement Plan; 12 months and over);
• Short Term/Task Focused/Bridging Placements;
• Short Break Placements;
• Parent(s) and Child(ren) Placements;
• Step Down Placements; and

These placement types will be required for the following cohort of Children and Young People:
• Age bands (5-10 years, 11-15 years, 16-18 years);
• Placement types (Core, Sibling, Parent(s) & Child(ren) & Disabled Children);
• Solo placements, with no other Children/Young People within the foster care household;
• Sibling placements;
• Short Breaks.

Lots
The external fostering arrangement is to be split into the below Lots, which will result in multiple providers delivering the services across both Councils.
Lot 1: Framework Providers
All Providers can tender to be part of the Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement (Lot 1) and may also wish to tender for Lot 2 as a potential Partnership Provider.

Lot 2 Partnership Providers
All providers will at the stage of tendering be able to submit (unless stipulated under the guidance in Lot 1) a tender for Lot 2.
It is anticipated that Lot 2 Partnership Providers will be fewer in number, and these providers will be approached first by The Council for any new external fostering referrals.

Expression of Interest and Tender Process

Expressions of interest will only be accepted via the Kent Business Portal. In order to submit your interest in this opportunity please select the ‘Login and Express an Interest’ button located at the bottom of this page.

Note: that in order to successfully submit your interest you will first need to register for an account. After registration is complete and you've received your login details you should return to the advert for the opportunity and express your interest.

You will then be emailed an invitation to submit a tender. Further guidance regarding how to use this portal can be found attached to the bottom of this advert.

Indicative Procurement Timetable
Publication of Kent Business Portal advert, OJEU notice and Documentation on the Kent Business Portal on Monday 4th September Deadline to submit requests for clarification via the Kent Business Portal (ProContract) Discussion facility on 12:00 (noon) on Tuesday 26th of September 2017. Deadline for Tender Responses on 12:00 (noon) on Tuesday 3rd of October 2017. Commencement of Tender Evaluation Period (including Post-Tender Clarifications) Wednesday 4th of October– Friday 27th October 2017. Lot 2 Presentation/Interviews on Monday 30th October – Wednesday 1st November 2017. (TBA with shortlisted supplier). Lot 2 Pre-Award Clarification Meetings w/c Monday 13th November 2017 (TBA with shortlisted supplier). Contract Awards w/c Monday 13th November 2017 10 day Standstill Period from Monday 20th November 2017 until midnight Thursday 30th November 2017. Issue Contract of documentation for signature from December 2017. Contract Commencement on 1st February 2018