Information Service for Children and Young People with SEND

The service being tendered for is one that will provide children and young people with SEND, and their families, with information and advice that will enable them to make decisions about the services and provision that they access. It is also intended to enable them to help shape the future commissioning of services, so that they better reflect the needs and aspirations of these families. A version of the service has been jointly commissioned for a number of years by Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City Councils. This tender specification takes into account changes that are necessitated by recent legislation, which initiated wholesale reform to the systems and processes that support children and young people with SEND. Previously, the appointed provider developed and maintained a website as means of providing information to the target groups. With the advent of the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities are required to develop their own 'Local Offer' of services and provision. The successful provider will therefore need to contribute news and events information to the City and County Local Offer sites. Historically Information has also been made available through the publication of a quarterly magazine, which has included news items, articles and what's on. This needs to form part of the Local Offer for both authorities, providing information for those without ready access to the internet or who are 'hard to reach'. Opportunities will need to be explored for young people with SEND to gain experience in all aspects of the magazine's production. The voice of young people and young adults will also be an important element of the magazine's content and function. In gathering the information and source material for both the local offer websites and magazine the provider's staff will need to liaise with support groups, parent/carer and young people's forums. They will also need to develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various organisations providing information, advice and support across education, health and social care to families with SEND. This will ensure that the provider enhances and complements rather than duplicates the existing provision. The budget for this contract does not exceed £58,000 per annum. The provider should explore the use of advertising space within the magazine as a mechanism for attracting additional revenue.

Additional information: The County Council, and Nottingham City Council are seeking to commission the Information Service for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), which will replace the former Information Service for Parents of Disabled Children (IRIS). The service will provide children and young people with SEND, and their families, with information and advice that will enable them to make decisions about the services and provision that they access. It is also intended to enable them to help shape the future commissioning of services, so that they better reflect the needs and aspirations of these families. This tender takes into account changes that are necessitated by recent legislation, which initiated wholesale reform to the systems and processes that support children and young people with SEND. The Children and Families Act 2014, requires local authorities to develop their own 'Local Offer' of services and provision. The successful provider will contribute news and events information to the City and County Local Offer sites. Historically Information has also been made available through the publication of a quarterly magazine, which has included news items, articles and what's on. This needs to form part of the Local Offer for both authorities, providing information for those without ready access to the internet or who are 'hard to reach'. Opportunities will need to be explored for young people with SEND to gain experience in all aspects of the magazine's production. The voice of young people and young adults will also be an important element of the magazine's content and function. In gathering the information and source material for both the local offer websites and magazine the provider's staff will need to liaise with support groups, parent/carer and young people's forums. They will also need to develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various organisations providing information, advice and support across education, health and social care to families with SEND. This will ensure that the provider enhances and complements rather than duplicates the existing provision. The contracts will run from April 2016 for a period 3 years, with an option to extend at the Council's sole discretion for an additional period of up to 12 months and a possible subsequent extension of up to a further 12 months. The service will comprise of the following key elements: i. The production of a quarterly magazine in Nottinghamshire for parents of disabled children and young people. ii. On-going work to support the County and City Councils with the further development and improvement of their respective Local Offers websites. iii. The promotion, maintenance and development of the statutory Children and Young People's Disability Register on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. (This is not a requirement for Nottingham City Council The budget for this contract does not exceed £58,000 per annum. The Council is seeking bids that offer value for money through efficiency and innovative thinking and Bidders will be required to identify the level of service (hours) that will be provided for the funds available.