Independent Advocacy and Children's Rights

Description

The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) would like to engage with the market for experienced, providers with a local presence to deliver, an Independent Advocacy and Children’s Rights Service. This service will ensure the rights of children and young people who are looked after, are protected and they have the support they require to have their voices heard in matters which affect them. Please see the attached document titled 'CT1567 PIN notice' for further detail on the requirement. Lot 1: The City of Edinburgh Council’s vision is that Edinburgh’s children and young people enjoy their childhood and reach their potential. Further, the Council is committed to ensuring the promise which Scotland made to care experienced children and young people — that they will grow up loved, safe and respected, is fulfilled. This service will be targeted to meet the advocacy and rights needs of: -Children and young people who are Looked After and Accommodated and who live in foster, kinship, residential and secure care. -Children and young people who are deemed to be Looked After and living at home. -Children and young people involved in the Child Protection Process. The provider shall: -Promote and deliver the service in line with the “Independent Advocacy Principles, Standards & Code of Best Practice”, as published by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance; -Ensure that children and young people who are looked after are empowered to express their needs and wishes; -Put children and young people first; -Be accountable; -Be accessible to children and young people wherever they may be living; and -Be free from conflicts of interest. This service will not support or accept citizen or peer advocacy as this is not considered appropriate for this cohort of young people.