Autism is one of the fastest-growing areas of need in Birmingham. There are over 4,000 school-aged children with an autism diagnosis across the city, which is a higher prevalence than national averages, indicating a significant local need. In 2022 autism had increased by 25% over three years.
Throughout the UK autism prevalence in children is estimated at 1–3% of the population, with recent studies suggesting 1 in 36 children aged eight years have an autism diagnosis.
The commissioned service will provide a joint working model within the Trust Early Help Service. The Early Help service consists of one Targeted Family Help team and a Voluntary sector team in each of the 10 districts across Birmingham and the commissioned service will also need to align with The Family Hub offer.
The commissioned service will provide direct interventions to children and young people with autism and their families. The specialist interventions will be specifically related to support associated with the child or young person’s autism. The brief will also include upskilling practitioners within the Early Help service, offering advice, guidance and training on autism enabling practitioners to respond effectively to families, this will include providing shadowing opportunities for recently trained staff from the partnerships.
The duration of the contract will be for one year, with the option to extend for up to two years (1 + 1 + 1), commencing on 1st April 2026.
The contract will be reviewed on an annual basis with a break clause after March 2027, and each subsequent year; with the continuation of the contract based on funding availability and performance.
The contract value for the year is £491,096.
A Pipeline Notice was published on the 05 June 2025 (2025/S 000-030365) and a Planned Procurement Notice was published on 05 May 2025 (2025/S 000-030347).
The Trust will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register. You will then be able to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation.
If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either email us at: etendering@birmingham.gov.uk
Your completed tender submission should be returned by noon on 2nd January 2026 via the ‘in-tend’ system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc
BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYWest MidlandsWAC-570589
On behalf of Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Childrens Trust commissions an extensive Short Breaks offer that provides a range of options for disabled children and young people over a broad range of support needs. This ensures children and young people access the right type of Short Break for them and enables their parents and carers to have a break from caring. The aim is to deliver positive outcomes, improve lives and prevent and reduce crisis by offering local community-based activities wherever possible.
BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYWest MidlandsWAC-541440
Market Engagement for Counselling and Support Services
The contract (Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is to provide therapeutic services for children and young people impacted by sexual abuse, violence, or exploitation and to their parent(s) or carer(s) to minimise the impact of the abuse on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The service will:
• Provide therapeutic services to children and young people, up to 18 years of age (this may be extended up to 21 years of age for care leavers), who are the victims of sexual abuse, violence or exploitation and to their parent(s) or carer(s) in order to minimise the impact of the abuse on their mental health and emotional wellbeing;
• Promote resilience for the child or young person to enhance their prospects of positive outcomes and to enable them to promote their own safety and wellbeing;
• Direct service users to specialist services if continuing or other needs are identified and to facilitate access through established processes.
In addition to the main contract, there will be a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Support Service for Children and young people assessed as Experiencing or Emerging CSE, and their parents/carers/families. The service will be delivered through Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) support, Counselling/therapeutic support and Supporter counselling/therapeutic support:
• To provide a child-centred, strengths-based, trauma informed and responsive approach that is both flexible & tailored to meet the needs of children and young people subjected to CSE.
• To provide a compassionate and relational approach to each child and young person, which works to acknowledge the systems, contexts and safe, protective relationships around them.
• To build the resilience of the protective factors and relationships around children and young people, while working actively to build psychological safety, trust and rapport.
• To build 'wrap around,' holistic support for the families, parents/carers & professionals supporting children and young people.
Referrals will be predominately from BCT, the market engagement event will facilitate question's and answer's and provide an overview of the service.
BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYWest MidlandsWAC-513120