Management Information Sheet
Transforming our Children's Centres
Our network of Children’s Centres across Norfolk was developed in three phases over six years. This phased approach – which happened nationally - means that there are inconsistencies in how they operate.
We are changing our Children’s Centres to ensure they are as effective and efficient as possible and we have a single service specification enabling us to meet the future needs of Norfolk’s children and families.
On 13th June 2011, County Council Cabinet agreed a new pattern of Children’s Centres and a procurement approach. Cabinet agreed that Norfolk’s 54 Children’s Centres will be grouped into 36 ‘lots’ approving the competitive tendering of 26 ‘lots’, with 10 ‘lots’ commissioned through an application process.
The deadline for all 36 ‘lots’ to have either a competitive tender submitted or a formal application completed was 5th December 2011.
During December, January and February the submissions will be evaluated.
It is planned that during January contracts for the 10 non-competitive ‘lots’ will be awarded with the new services commencing from 1st April 2012.
By the end of February 2012 we should be able to confirm who has been awarded contracts for the 26 competitive ‘lots’.
Between February and June 2012, Norfolk County Council will be working with providers of Children’s Centre Services to support the transition to new contractual arrangements, in some cases this will include formal consultation with staff around TUPE.
Norfolk County Council has not bid to run any centres and our operational teams are working with the Children’s Centre project team to prepare for new providers to run Children’s Centre Services in the centres we currently manage.
Through this commissioning approach, we aim to make the best use of our resources, targeting services in areas of greatest need whilst keeping countywide coverage of Children’s Centres.
To achieve this we have
updated our service specifications; strengthened performance management, to ensure quality is consistent; and updated our contracts to improve sustainability.
We understand that this is an uncertain time for staff delivering Children’s Centre Services and for those working locally in partnership with our Children’s Centres.
We aim to provide you with as much information as we can at each stage of the process.
If you have any questions please email these to: childrenscentrecommissioning@norfolk.gov.uk
We are changing our Children’s Centres to ensure they are as effective and efficient as possible and we have a single service specification enabling us to meet the future needs of Norfolk’s children and families.
On 13th June 2011, County Council Cabinet agreed a new pattern of Children’s Centres and a procurement approach. Cabinet agreed that Norfolk’s 54 Children’s Centres will be grouped into 36 ‘lots’ approving the competitive tendering of 26 ‘lots’, with 10 ‘lots’ commissioned through an application process.
The deadline for all 36 ‘lots’ to have either a competitive tender submitted or a formal application completed was 5th December 2011.
During December, January and February the submissions will be evaluated.
It is planned that during January contracts for the 10 non-competitive ‘lots’ will be awarded with the new services commencing from 1st April 2012.
By the end of February 2012 we should be able to confirm who has been awarded contracts for the 26 competitive ‘lots’.
Between February and June 2012, Norfolk County Council will be working with providers of Children’s Centre Services to support the transition to new contractual arrangements, in some cases this will include formal consultation with staff around TUPE.
Norfolk County Council has not bid to run any centres and our operational teams are working with the Children’s Centre project team to prepare for new providers to run Children’s Centre Services in the centres we currently manage.
Through this commissioning approach, we aim to make the best use of our resources, targeting services in areas of greatest need whilst keeping countywide coverage of Children’s Centres.
To achieve this we have
We understand that this is an uncertain time for staff delivering Children’s Centre Services and for those working locally in partnership with our Children’s Centres.
We aim to provide you with as much information as we can at each stage of the process.
If you have any questions please email these to: childrenscentrecommissioning@norfolk.gov.uk