Children's Advocacy Independent People for Children Adults Complaints and Secure Reviews
Framework Description
NEPO's Children's Advocacy, Independent People for Children and Adults, Complaints and Secure Reviews solution is a Flexible Procurement Agreement for the independent roles councils must appoint under statutory complaints and review processes. It has six lots, from children's advocacy to independent persons for secure accommodation reviews. Providers can join or update their offer twice a year, and the agreement runs to 31 March 2028.
Context & Use Case
Children's services and adult social care teams use it when a complaint reaches stage two or three, or when a child's placement in secure accommodation must be reviewed. Each stage needs someone independent of the council, such as an investigating officer, an independent person or a panel chair. Buying these roles through one agreement saves councils from recruiting freelancers case by case.
Scope of Services
Children's Advocacy Investigating Officers (children and adult stage two complaints) Independent Persons (children and adult stage two complaints) Independent Chairs for stage three statutory children's complaints Independent Panellists for stage three statutory children's complaints Independent Persons for Secure Accommodation Reviews
Lots
Children's Advocacy; Investigating Officers (Children and Adult Stage Two Complaints); Independent Persons (Children and Adult Stage Two Complaints); Independent Chairs for Stage Three Statutory Children's Social Care Complaints; Independent Panellists for Stage Three Statutory Children's Social Care Complaints; Independent Persons for Secure Accommodation Reviews
Who Can Apply
Suits advocacy organisations, independent social care consultants, and experienced investigators, chairs and panellists, including sole practitioners. Because the agreement admits new providers twice a year, you can apply at the next window rather than wait for a re-tender. Check the framework page for the date of the next intake.
Buyer Benefits
Statutory complaints and secure accommodation reviews run to fixed timescales, and missing them exposes councils to criticism from regulators and the Ombudsman. A ready pool of independent people, refreshed twice a year, gives councils capacity when complaint volumes rise and choice of practitioners with the right background for each case.
Next Steps
Read the NEPO solution page to find the next six-monthly window and the documents needed for your chosen lots. Prepare evidence of independence from the commissioning councils, relevant qualifications, DBS checks and examples of investigations, reviews or advocacy you have completed. Existing providers can use the same windows to add lots or update their offer before the agreement ends on 31 March 2028.
How Athena Can Help
The twice-yearly windows give you a clear target. Athena's framework entry team can prepare your application for the lots that fit, from investigating officer work to secure accommodation reviews, including the policies, certificates and examples of practice NEPO asks for, and compliance-check it before the window closes.
For larger advocacy organisations, our social care bid advice covers wider children's services tenders, and our proposal writing support helps you present independence and quality clearly in any further competition.
