In April 2024 Essex County Council intend to deliver a Market Position Statement which reflects the current commissioning ambition across Looked After Children Services in Essex. 

This marks the start of an engagement programme which enables us to collaborate with the market where together we can shape the market and ensure that children and their families have a diverse range of services that meets their needs and supports the future commissioning intentions of ECC over the next 3-5 years.

As a starting point for this journey we are keen to engage with providers within the looked after children market to understand your views and obtain feedback, this includes

• Your views or perception of the market you work in
• Your strategic relationship with Essex County Council
• Your experience on your transactions and day to day working with Essex County Council.
• What challenges you face as a provider?
• What are your views on strategic activities across Essex County Council such as Climate, Environment, Social Value and Technology
• What you would like to improve or shape moving forward.

Our engagement phase is due to commence from the 19th February until the 28th of June 2024, during this time will be working alongside procurement, commissioning and children service to ensure we connect and engage with as may providers as possible. All providers will have the opportunity to be involved in our engagement phase, you can:

• Complete an online questionnaire; the link to the questionnaire is here
• Ask for a 1-2-1 discussion through a face to face or telephone discussion

Procurement will also utilise the opportunity to discuss market activiy through existing provider forums or you can speak to your contract manager through existing channels.

Contact Details

If you would like to contact us or provide feedback on our market position statement please contact us on market.shaping@essex.gov.uk