Birmingham Virtual School Enrichment Framework

Birmingham City Council (BCC) is inviting expressions of interest to support commissioners in developing a clearer understanding of the provider landscape. This soft market engagement aims to explore the range of organisations operating in this space and gather insights into their capacity and interest in delivering Enrichment Activities for Birmingham’s Children in Care both within the city and in other Local Authorities where children may be placed. This is an exploratory initiative aimed at gauging market interest, capacity, and the viability of a potential future procurement. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not influence your eligibility to engage in any subsequent procurement processes BCC acts as the corporate parent for the city’s Children in Care (CIC) and Birmingham Virtual School (BVS) is a statutory service responsible for coordinating educational support for: • Children currently in care, • Previously looked-after children (PLAC), • Children with a social worker (CWSW), including those on child in need or child protection plans. • This duty applies to children living both within Birmingham and in other Local Authorities where they may be placed. BCC is considering the establishment of an Enrichment Framework for Birmingham Virtual School (BVS), aimed at supporting the delivery of enrichment activities that enhance the educational experience of looked-after children. The goal is to improve outcomes in achievement, inclusion, and progression by addressing their individual needs holistically. Services under the Enrichment Framework have been grouped into three as follows. • Lot 1 – Careers and Employment Support: Support for access to education, training and employment. • Lot 2 – Short Courses and Qualifications: Access to additional qualifications and accredited courses for all with a particular focus on young people at risk of leaving school without qualifications such as NEET, newly arrived unaccompanied asylum seekers. Supporting young people on to higher education and future careers. To support language barriers for those without English as a first language • Lot 3 – Community Enrichment Activities: Access to activities that expose young people to a range of cultural activities including, but not limited to, music, arts, theatre, dance, sport, outdoor learning and visits to destinations outside of their own town/city. Providers can bid for multiple lots. The Enrichment Framework will be for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years (on a 1+1 basis) subject to performance, budgetary availability and legislative changes. Activities, courses and programmes are estimated to begin from April 2026.