Independent Advocacy Service for Children and Young People

Please register on The Chest (https://www.the-chest.org.uk) to access all tender documents.

All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.

The council is procuring a Children and Young People's Advocacy Service, that is independent of the council and available to children looked after, care leavers, children in need, children subject to a child protection plan and privately fostered children.

The aim of this service is to meet this responsibility for children and young people from Cumbria, in accordance with the National Standards and the requirements within the service specification.

Advocacy is meant to empower children to express their views and engage in decisions made about their lives, challenging the system and drive policy and practice change, while maintaining good relationships with services and professionals.

Please refer to the service specification for more details.

Cumbria is currently undergoing a Local Government Reorganisation and from 1st April 2023 (Vesting Day) Cumbria County Council and the six district councils will cease to exist and will be replaced by two new unitary councils - Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.

Consequently, this countywide service is being reprocured by the County Council as two separate contracts one which covers the geographical footprint of Cumberland Council (Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland) and one which covers the geographical footprint of Westmorland and Furness Council (Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland).

One provider is required to deliver both contracts.

The County Council will enter into the contracts with the successful provider and on Vesting Day the contracts will transfer automatically by an operation of law to the relevant new council.

In the service specification which, is identical for both contracts, "Council" means either Cumberland Council or Westmorland and Furness Council as the context requires.