Helping Hands Pilot

The Helping Hands Pilots would test an integrated system intervention model that aims to help the professionals and carers supporting looked after children in complex situations with multiple needs, with a focus on children who are being, or at risk of being, deprived of liberty. The pilot would be delivered on a regional/sub-regional footprint, aligning with the Department’s ambitions for Regional Care Cooperatives, with a lead local authority. Using evidence from research, stakeholder engagement, and promising practice examples, we have developed a model that brings together children’s social care, health, youth justice and education to identify children with escalating needs earlier and bring together assessments and insights from across systems into one story for a child to provide recommendations around the package of care required to meet these needs and improve the experience of the child. There is clear evidence that these children need a cross-system response therefore potential pilot areas would need to demonstrate commitment to participate from the local authority, integrated care board, youth justice team, virtual school heads and other relevant partners who are involved in the care and treatment of these children.  

We are seeking market input to better understand views to our proposed procurement and delivery approaches. This feedback will help us further refine and develop our overall approach. The link for the market engagement session is: Helping Hands Market Engagement Session | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Please note, this notice is not being used to signify the commencement of any competitive process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education. 

Funding estimates included within the notice are indicative only and are subject to Spending Review outcomes. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final funding envelope for contractual activity. 

For any issues or questions please contact HelpingHands.PILOT@education.gov.uk