Service to link families in need with local volunteers who can offer help and support

Northumberland County Council is seeking tenders to establish a Contract to link families in need with local volunteers who can offer help and support at a time of crisis. The aim is to provide short term assistance to families requiring additional support as part of a range of early intervention and prevention services designed to prevent children becoming "looked after".

The aim is to stabilise families preventing child neglect and abuse and reducing the flow of children going into Looked After Care, thereby improving outcomes. The service should be able to offer bespoke packages of support, delivered through a network of volunteers providing a community solution for families in crisis or in need of support.

The aim is to develop strong relationships between volunteers and families, strengthening family capacity and promoting self-sufficiency through both modelling behaviours and providing support for positive parenting. It is anticipated that up to 65 families per year will require support, based predominantly within the South East Northumberland area with development over the lifetime of the contract in support required in the north and west of the County.

The value of the contract will be capped at £75,000 per annum, including all expenses. Further details of the Contracting Authority's requirements under the contract and other relevant information are given in the Specification at Schedule 2 of the tender documentation.