Lancashire Fostering Agency Placements Framework - RFQ 15180077

This procurement exercise concerns the provision of foster care services for children and young people (CYP) looked after by Independent Fostering Agencies. The Fostering Agencies offer access to a network of foster carers / families who have been assessed and approved, who can provide a safe environment for CYP to live and develop their lives in a safe environment.

The Authority has a statutory duty to provide foster care to CYP aged between 0-18 years across the County, as well as outside of County also.

The Providers will achieve the following overall outcomes in relation to children placed with their carers:

• Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted • Individual children's outcomes are improved • Children's basic need for good parenting is met.

Specific outcomes will also be discussed, agreed and recorded within the Service User's Care Plan.

It is intended that call-offs from the framework will be administered by the Council's Access to Resources Team. Referrals will be sent out to service providers who will need to indicate whether they can offer a placement. The final decision on which offers are suitable will be made by the social worker, and if more than one suitable offer is identified the decision will be based upon lowest cost per week.