Market Engagement Notice for the Provision of Independent Sector Fostering Placements in Northern Ir

Descriptions

HSC wish to inform the market that they are at the early stages of planning to procure the provision of independent sector foster placements for looked after children in Northern Ireland.The vast majority of looked after children are cared for in foster care placements and this is consistent with the strategic direction of looked after children services in Northern Ireland.In the main these foster care placements are delivered via the health and social care (HSC) Trust’s fostering services and this is set to continue.Within Northern Ireland there are also fostering placements delivered via the independent sector.The purpose of this market engagement is to commence preparation for this procurement, gauge the level of interest in the provision of such services and discuss the procurement plan and envisaged timelines in advance of any formal tender process.HSC considers engagement with interested providers as an important first step in this procurement.