The Council is seeking a suitable Provider to provide Advocacy and Independent Visitor (IV) services.

As Dorset Council has a statutory duty to provide an independent advocacy service that supports children and young people to have their views and wishes taken into account when key decisions are being made about their lives. The Council also has a statutory duty to provide an independent visitor (IV) service for looked after children if they believe that it would be in the child’s best interest to have one.

It is anticipated that the contract will commence on the 1 August 2024 for an initial contract period of 3 years, with the options to extend annually for a further 3 years (3+1+1+1). Therefore, if all available extensions were taken the total contract period would be 6 years.

The Council is seeking a suitable Provider to provide Advocacy and Independent Visitor (IV) services.

As Dorset Council has a statutory duty to provide an independent advocacy service that supports children and young people to have their views and wishes taken into account when key decisions are being made about their lives. The Council also has a statutory duty to provide an independent visitor (IV) service for looked after children if they believe that it would be in the child’s best interest to have one.

It is anticipated that the contract will commence on the 1 August 2024 for an initial contract period of 3 years, with the options to extend annually for a further 3 years (3+1+1+1). Therefore, if all available extensions were taken the total contract period would be 6 years.