Provision of Children's Short Breaks Activities and Support (Aiming High)

Staffordshire County Council is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to inform the future recommissioning of its Provision of Children's Short Breaks Activities and Support (known internally as Aiming High SEND Short Breaks Service), currently expected to commence from April 2027. The Council wishes to engage with current and potential providers to better understand market capacity, capability, innovation, and potential delivery models for providing high-quality short breaks and support opportunities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families across Staffordshire. The Aiming High programme forms part of Staffordshire's wider short breaks offer and aims to: • improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND; • promote independence, inclusion and preparation for adulthood; • enable children and young people to participate in positive activities within their communities; • support family resilience and help parents and carers continue in their caring role; • provide opportunities for social development, friendships and community participation; and • deliver timely support that helps prevent the escalation of need wherever appropriate. The Council is seeking feedback from organisations capable of delivering inclusive, high-quality, outcome-focused services and activities for children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years. Providers should have a thorough understanding of, and be able to operate in accordance with, relevant legislation, statutory guidance and local policies, including: • Children Act 1989; • Children and Families Act 2014; • Care Act 2014; • SEND Code of Practice 2015; • Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011; • Equality Act 2010; • Mental Capacity Act 2005; • Human Rights Act 1998; • Working Together to Safeguard Children; • Keeping Children Safe in Education (where applicable); • Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (or any successor legislation); a