Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole are expanding the information provided on alternative provision by establishing an Alternative Provision Framework. This is a competitive process in order to establish a Framework of value for money, quality assured Providers.
The aim is that there will be a variety of Alternative Provision programmes / activities / services supporting children and young people which can be accessed by Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset County Council, the Borough of Poole and Schools including specialist schools and academies.
Tenders will be invited for services within the main service categories, which are:
1) engagement and re-engagement;
2) therapeutic;
3) counselling;
4) vocational provision and employability;
5) teaching.
Lot 1: Engagement and re-engagement:
The purpose of engagement is to establish a connection / rapport which can be built on to move towards re-engagement.
Engagement services could include Mentoring and Befriending activities which enables children and young people the opportunity to engage regularly with a positive adult mentor. The mentor offers a range of support and positive challenge to improve self-confidence, behaviour and develop positive relationships with others. The mentoring process enables children and young people to widen their experiences through a programme of individual and group positive activities.
The purpose of re-engagement is to encourage the child or young person to reengage in education. Re-engagement activities need to be interesting, inspiring, interactive and safe.
Many activities can be badged as engagement and re-engagement activities including community based activities such as volunteering through to recreational music / drama lessons or sporting activities / courses, cultural or life enriching experiences. Individuals can develop self-esteem and enjoy better mental health and well-being from participating in positive activities. Family based activities can help build and strengthen family relationships and improve family functioning.
Lot 2: Therapeutic:
Therapeutic services, in this context, are activities that have a therapeutic effect on the child or young person. Therapeutic services may not be registered to an accredited body, however there is the expectation that staff will be qualified, trained, experienced and that there will be Continuous Professional Development and regular supervision. Therapeutic services help people to “tell” their story, solve problems and build resilience in a safe and supported environment. Therapeutic services need to be safe, non-judgemental, accessible, culturally aware and confidential and the skills and characteristics of the therapist are very important to successful outcomes.
A broad range of activities can be classed as therapeutic ranging from activity based to animal based activities.
Counselling, in this context, are required to be registered with an accredited body and that staff will be qualified, trained, experienced and that there will be Continuous Professional Development and regular clinical supervision.
Counselling is about focusing on what matters to find a way through difficulties. Services are aimed at helping children and young people overcome difficult and challenging situations and life events, improve relations and provide support for people to manage more effectively changes in their inter-personal and family life.
A broad range of activities can be classed as counselling including services ranging from drama therapy to play or art therapy.
Lot 4: Vocational and employability:
Effective vocational training programmes and learning opportunities can help children or/and young people to reach their full potential, enabling them to develop or update existing skills to get back into the workplace.
Sometimes a short-course to give an accreditation in a specific work area can overcome barriers to employment and enhance an individual’s employability as well as boost self-esteem and self-confidence.
Employability related opportunities can support young people looking for, securing and then staying in employment. Opportunities need to be tailored to the needs of the individual to overcome specific and often complex barriers to employment such as enhancing basic skills or simply giving people confidence and motivation to get them back into the employment process. For example, employability mentoring, CV guidance, advice on interview techniques, coaching sessions, skills analysis, or self-employment advice.
Lot 5: Teaching:
There may be specific learning needs that require personalised / group teaching that meets the needs of the child(ren) / young person(people). These specific learning needs may be identified by a specialist assessor or from a professional, and may be part of a plan. Examples of this may include basic literacy and numeracy, social skills, language difficulties and other barriers to learning.
Teaching could include provision within the home or at an alternative venue. Providers should provide a range of services which may include: tutors, teaching assistants, qualified and unqualified teachers where possible.
It is anticipated that virtual learning (online / electronic) could be part of the package for a child / young person.