Early Intervention Child Mentor Service in Cumbria to Support Children at Risk of Offending

Descriptions

The Cumbria Office of Police & Crime Commissioner is undertaking this procurement exercise with the overall aim is to commission an early intervention service, which will provide a holistic and trauma informed approach to ensure children are not unnecessarily criminalised by taking every opportunity to divert them away from offending and to prevent the involvement of statutory services. The service will work in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary's Child Centred Policing Teams located in the North, West and South of Cumbria, and will focus on delivery around a Child Mentor model. The Child Mentor will be responsible for providing tailored and needs-led, one-to-one support to children who are displaying early signs of risk-taking behaviour and vulnerability to criminalisation. The service will work in partnership with other support organisations to build a whole system approach that creates a share vision for each child. The service will refer cases, where relevant, to other interventions, with the aim of jointly resolving issues. This service is not to replace existing practices but will offer a new layer of support. Aim/objectives: • Divert children away from the criminal justice system. • Prevent the unnecessary criminalisation of children. • Prevent the involvement of statutory agencies. • Break the offending cycle. • Prevent further harm. • Support children to make better choices to improve their life opportunities. • Consider the wider family and ability to offer additional support, to help the child. Contract period 1.4.22 to 31.3.24 with option to extend for 12 months to 31.3.25. Estimated annual budget range £130,000-£150,000 (excluding VAT) per annum for service as defined within ITT Part Two (Operational Requirements and Specification). In addition, it is anticipated that during the Contract term the Commission involving the awarded Contract Supplier will bid for appropriate external grant funding opportunities that may arise which would enhance the service provision to users and service outcomes. If the Authority is successful, this could potentially increase the estimated Contract value by up to 25%. The advertised estimate highest value has been based on the upper value.