Secure Transport Services for Children and Young People.

The Council, on behalf of the Children's Commissioning Consortium Cyrum (4C's) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to identify suitably capable and experienced secure transport providers for the secure transportation of children and young people, on behalf of Welsh Local Authorities. Due to the anticipated value and infrequent nature of the requirement, the Council does not currently intend to establish a framework or award a public contract, in regards to the Procurement Act 2023 as part of this exercise. This market engagement is being carried out for information-gathering purposes only and is intended to help the Council better understand the availability, capability and experience within the market. The intention is to develop a list of capable suppliers for use by Welsh Local Authorities for secure transport provision.

The provision of secure transportation services for children and young people must be delivered in a manner that safeguards and promotes the welfare of the child or young person receiving the service. Providers should note that this is a specialist service and will be expected to meet the requirements of the Welsh Government’s Reducing Restrictive Practices Framework.

Providers will be required to have the following traing and practices in place:

Safeguarding training and safeguarding procedures.

Behaviour management training and approaches.

Safe recruitment and robust employment checks.

Safehold training and de-escalation techniques.

Risk management, and safeguarding processes.

Understanding and implementation of the restrictive practice framework.

Ability to meet children's individual needs through appropriate resources, activities, and equipment.