Pipeline Framework: Fostering and Adoption Medicals

A pipeline has been launched for Fostering and Adoption Medicals.The contract start Date is 1 April 2024. Approach to market date is 6 October 2023.Essex County Council (“ECC”) currently commission Fostering & Adoption Medical Advisory Services across the 4 ECC quadrants North, West, Mid and South. This service is required to deliver the statutory functions for the provision of medical advisory reports to Fostering and Adoption Panels as set out in the Adoption Services Regulations 2005, the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards for both Adoption and Fostering. Current contracts for the service are due to expire in March 2024.ECC are looking to procure a 7 year contract for the four ECC quadrants.The medical advisor should be a paediatrician who is fully registered with the GMC and has an enhanced DBS check. Services within the contract will include :Initial written report for panel on the health of prospective adopter / foster carerReview report for panel on the health of adopter / foster carerInitial written health report for panel on each child being considered for adoptionPreparation for an adoption / fostering panelAttendance at adoption / fostering panelReview health report for each child being considered for adoptionMeeting with prospective adoptersIndicative service figures per annum per quadrant are:Medical reports for prospective Foster Carers – approximately 60Medical reports for prospective Adopters – approximately 48Medical reports for children being put forward for adoption – approximately 43Essex County Council (ECC) is seeking expressions of interest from providers that can deliver this contract either pan Essex or for individual quadrants.This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: Essex County Council, County Hall, Market RoadChelmsford CM1 1QH. Tel: 0333 032 2078. Email: tabitha.allen@essex.gov.uk Website: (Tabitha Allen)