Department for Education Seeks Chairperson for Bradford Children and Families Trust

THIS NOTICE IS FOR PRIOR INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT BINDING INDICATION OF OR COMMITMENT TO ANY FUTURE PROCUREMENT OR ACTIVITY. The Department for Education is seeking to procure professional services to operate as a new Chairperson of Bradford Children and Families Trust. Children's services in Bradford were judged to be inadequate, by Ofsted, in September 2018 and again in January 2023.

In September 2021, due to concerns about pace of progress and concerns raised by Ofsted, the Department escalated its intervention in Bradford by replacing the Improvement Notice with a Statutory Direction and appointing a commissioner.

The Commissioner undertook a 3-month review, which concluded at the end of January 2022, to assess whether Bradford has the capability and capacity to continue to deliver children's social care services. His recommendation was for services to be removed from council control and a Trust be put in place.

The Council agreed to establish a wholly owned, not for profit company (children's services trust), which discharges the Council's children's social care functions on its behalf. The Bradford Children and Families trust launched in April 2023. The Chair is a Secretary of State appointment, whilst the Council's children's social care services are subject to Government intervention.

It is expected that the Chair will be required a maximum of five days per month. NEXT STEPS We will shortly be looking to engage the market regarding this requirement, to establish interest, gather feedback and allow for initial questions. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact CSC.YH@education.gov.uk