MARKET ENGAGEMENT EVENT: Independent Social Workers (ISW)

The London Borough of Barnet (LBB) is seeking to procure an Independent Social Workers (ISW) provision. The Authority are hosting a presentation for prospective bidders to download and review at their own leisure, ahead of the commencement of the procurement.
The presentation content can be downloaded from the 'Documentation' section of this website once you are logged in. If you have any questions in relation to the content of the slide deck, you should use the messaging facility within the website to submit. Please note, the deadline for submitting questions in relation to these Market Engagement slides is Thursday 16th September 2021.

BACKGROUND
The LBB carry out a significant number of social care assessments over an extended period, many of which are kept in-house and objective, where possible. However, LBB recognises the need to have a network of external expert professionals that can deliver timely assessments and share expertise, upon request of the Family Court, whilst exercising impartiality.

LBB wishes to procure an approved list of ISWs, also commonly referred to as ‘Expert Professionals’. The ability to liaise with individuals and organisations where there is an established rapport, will allow LBB to improve decision-making when assigning cases and instructions externally, whilst also mitigating any associated risks. Assessment areas are to be broken down into six service Lots, depending on type (NOTE: list may be subject to change):
• Lot 1: Psychiatric & psychological
• Lot 2: Specialist risk and parenting / Parenting Assessments Manuals Software (PAMS)
• Lot 3: Special guardianship order (SGO) & connected persons.
• Lot 4: Carers recruitment & viability
• Lot 5: Fostering and adoption
• Lot 6: Age-related assessments in respect of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Awarded ISW’s and other professionals are expected to:
• deliver timely and quality-assured Court and non-Court ordered assessments
• have well-rounded experience in delivering assessments on behalf of Local Authorities and other government departments.
• practice effective communication between all parties including the Court, families, and the Local Authority.
• possess an area of expertise (i.e., parenting, SGO etc.) and fill-in knowledge gaps where necessary – although knowledge in most assessment areas is desirable
• to have an excellent understanding of relevant legislation including, but not exclusive to, the Care Act 2014 & the Mental Health Act 1983.

The focus of the event is to provide the market with an overview of the services and requirements the Authority is seeking to procure. It will also provide an opportunity for prospective bidders to understand the proposed service model.

31/08/2021

28/09/2021