Scope
Reference
WCC-22316
Description
Warwickshire is a Families First for Children (FFC) Pathfinder authority and is one of seven Wave 2 authorities in the country with funding from the DfE to lead on whole-system reform of Early Help and Children's Social Care.
The next 12 to 24 months will see further testing and shaping of wider system transformation across prevention, early intervention and targeted support to better meet the needs of Warwickshire children, young people and their parent carers. We are seeking providers views on how we reshape our services with the following commissioning intentions.
Our engagement and analysis to date has informed the following strategic commissioning intentions for the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme:
Multi-agency Workforce
a. We will commission and embed new test and learn roles into Families First Teams, and feed learning back into the system for longer-term planning
b. We will formalise secondment and matrix arrangements with strategic partners for new and extended roles in Families First Teams, to strengthen the multi-agency workforce
c. We will use existing contracts to strengthen multi-agency workforce arrangements in Family First teams, through contract variation and redesign opportunities
d. We will deliver solutions for identified workforce and expertise gaps in the system, through working across the partnership in innovative ways
System-wide Practice
e. We will use test and learn principles embedded in the FFC programme to maximum effect, with agreed monitoring, engagement and evaluation processes, to evidence what works for children and families in Warwickshire
f. We will listen to and amplify service user and practitioner voice across commissioned and partner services to understand what works for effective and impactful multi-agency, whole-family working
g. We will promote commissioning principles and best practice through the FFC programme, and provide expertise to embed the commissioning cycle as an agreed way of working
h. We will endorse the principles of a shared practice framework in how we work in support of children and families, across commissioned services and strategic partners
Place-based Commissioning
i. We will take opportunities to make best use of WCC and partner buildings for more effective and collaborative co-location, and will ensure services are available to families in places where they want to be supported
j. We will use local intelligence, mapping and analysis to respond to local need and make place-based commissioning decisions for Families First
k. We will grow stronger, localised relationships between WCC teams, providers, partners, businesses and voluntary and community sector organisations, to build local networks of support for professionals and families
The result of this market test will inform direction of travel and action planning for the next phase of the Pathfinder Programme, with a specific focus on community powered family support.
Please see the market testing pack for further detail of the proposals.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
7 May 2025
Engagement process description
Please complete the market testing pack and submit via our e-tendering portal.
Warwickshire County Council will be using its e-tendering system (CSW-JETS) for the administration of this market testing process. Providers must register with the system to be able to express an interest and download documents. The web address for CSW-JETS is:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/csw-jets/aspx/Home
Registration and use of CSW-JETS is free. All correspondence or clarifications relating to this market testing must be via the CSWJETS
correspondence function. If you are having trouble registering with CSW-JETS please email us at: procurement@warwickshire.gov.uk
Providers must register on CSW-JETS and express an interest in this project and be able to correspond with us about this exercise.
Providers who indicate they would like to discuss the future options may be invited to a meeting.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Warwickshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDTN-5446-NMXW
Shire Hall
Warwick
CV34 4SA
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@warwickshire.gov.uk
Website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk
Region: UKG13 - Warwickshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government