The Government has launched a search for a partner to evaluate the island’s residential childcare facilities and chart a path forward.

A Request for Proposals, published online on New Year’s Eve, sought proposals for a comprehensive assessment and strategic plan for residential childcare facilities operated by the Department of Child and Family Services.

The notice stated: “With the growing needs within Bermuda for care for children with foster needs at a younger age, adolescents demonstrating more challenging behaviour and ageing infrastructure, the Government of Bermuda seeks to undertake a comprehensive review of its children care facilities.

“This initiative aims to assess whether the existing infrastructure can support modern residential childcare operations and to determine the most appropriate strategy, whether renovation, expansion or complete redevelopment is now necessary.”

The notice added that the department ran four residential facilities, including Brangman Home, Sea View Cottage and two facilities on Aeolia Drive — an office facility and an emergency residential facility.

Together, the facilities were said to be at their capacity of 24 children and not able to meet the need to assist children between the ages of 5 and 11.

The notice said the goal of the project was to identify parties that could provide an independent, professional evaluation of all children care homes in Bermuda, assessing the suitability of existing infrastructure in relation to current and future operational demands, international standards and human rights obligations.

Parties interested in submitting a proposal must take part in a mandatory pre-bid meeting on January 15, with the deadline for submissions set for 3pm on February 26.