Award of Framework for Independent Foster Care Providers by SE Shared Services

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SE Shared Services awarded a contract to 5Fostering, Anchor Foster Care Services, Barnardos, Blue Sky Fostering, Brighter Futures Foster Care, By the Bridge Ltd, Care Administration & Management Services Ltd T/A Kindercare, and Compass Community Limited for a framework agreement for the purchase of foster care placements on behalf of East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.

The framework, led by East Sussex County Council, commenced on 1 April 2017 for an initial two-year term, with options to extend for two further two-year periods up to a maximum of six years.

Independent foster care agencies were required to demonstrate effective business models and an Ofsted overall quality rating of good or outstanding for the relevant registered office(s).

Placements covered emergency and short-term, permanent, respite, remand, mother/parent and baby assessment, and specialist placements for disabled children, for children aged 0-18 years (0-19 for those with a disability), including sibling groups, within a 20-mile radius of each council with local support mechanisms for foster carers.

As of 31 December 2016, East Sussex County Council had 567 looked-after children, 83 of whom were placed with independent fostering agencies, while Brighton and Hove City Council had 466 looked-after children, 126 of whom were placed with independent fostering agencies.

The participating authorities did not commit to or guarantee a stated volume of placements under the framework.