Organisations are being invited to bid to develop and implement services which support young people and families as part of Wolverhampton's pioneering HeadStart programme.

HeadStart Wolverhampton is seeking to commission organisations with the ambition, track record, skills and experience to deliver a range of services for children and young people aged between 10 and 16, and their families.

Tendering is now underway for around £1.5 million worth of contracts which will be operational for up to 37 months from December 2017. Tendering is an open process, with a closing date for submissions of 12pm on Monday 25 September.

HeadStart Wolverhampton, funded through the Big Lottery Fund, is a "test and learn" programme designed to improve the resilience and emotional well being of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with life's challenges.

It is achieving this through a mix of City wide support and via targeted support focusing on 4 areas - Low Hill, The Scotlands and Bushbury South; Heath Town, Park Village, Eastfield, Springfield and Old Heath; Bilston East; and All Saints, Blakenhall, Parkfields and Ettingshall.

The services that HeadStart Wolverhampton is looking to commission include 'Place To Go' services, working with parents and community youth journalism and media activities as part of a HeadStart Newshounds programme.

Kevin Pace, HeadStart Wolverhampton Programme Manager, said: "We are keen to hear from organisations, both big and small, which have innovative ideas to engage and support young people and their families. We would welcome bids from the private and voluntary sector, and from partnerships or consortia.

"Interested providers should have experience of leading or contributing to similar service transformation programmes, as well as an excellent understanding of the mental wellbeing needs of young people aged 10 to 16 in our HeadStart Wolverhampton target areas."

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for groups and organisations based in Wolverhampton, as well as those who are looking to develop a presence in the City, to play a part in this pioneering programme and to have a real impact on improving the mental health and well being of children and young people in our City."

Organisations can find out more about the tendering process by visiting Type=links;Linkid=8644;Title=HeadStart - tendering processing;Target=_blank;. Any queries regarding the tendering process should be submitted through the Wolverhampton tendering portal at Type=links;Linkid=8645;Title=ProContract;Target=_blank;.

Information and training sessions for potential bidders will be held on Thursday 17 August, 2017, at Wolverhampton Science Park, with one session running from 12pm until 3pm and a second from 4pm until 7pm.

The sessions will focus on service specification, the procurement process, good bid writing and on forming effective collaborations or consortia. To reserve a place on one of these sessions, please email HeadStart Contracts Manager Mai Gibbons at mai.gibbons@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

To find out more about HeadStart Wolverhampton, please visit Type=links;Linkid=6584;Title=HeadStart;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Tuesday 1 August, 2017