New £14m Innovation Fund to support Separated Families
KEY OBJECTIVES
The two key objectives of this new Innovation Fund are to:
- Increase the number of children benefiting from child maintenance arrangements by reducing conflict and improving collaboration between separated and separating parents. This will be achieved by developing effective interventions that help parents work together to make their own arrangements and avoid using the Courts or the Child Support Agency.
- Test a wide range of interventions to understand what is effective in encouraging collaboration and reducing conflict amongst separating and separated parents. We will develop an evidence base of the most effective interventions across the spectrum of help and support available i.e. from intensive couple therapy to web based guidance and support.
For further information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website
Following publication of the full procurement documentation during week commencing 16 July 2012, the DWP will be holding events in London (24 July), Cardiff (25 July) and Edinburgh (27 July) to explain the Innovation Fund requirements more fully and to answer questions from interested bidders. If you are interested in attending one of these events you can register your interest now by e-mailing your name, contact information and event location preference to: separated.familiesprocurement@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
WHO CAN BID FOR THIS INNOVATION FUND?
We will welcome bids from public, private and voluntary sector organisations, either on their own or as part of a partnership with others. We know that voluntary sector bodies have a wide range of skills and expertise in working with separated families and would therefore particularly encourage them to bid, either as a main bidder or as a partner/sub-contractor.
It is essential that the organisation(s) who deliver the services to the separated parents (either the main contractor or sub-contractors) have previous appropriate experience of working with separated and separating parents.
