Agenda item

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.3.1

9.3.2

9.3.3

9.3.4

9.4

9.4.1

9.4.2

9.4.3

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services which set out the statutory duties, provided an overview and sought approval from the Education, Children and Families Committee for the recommission of the 16-25 Supported Accommodation services.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:

-       approves the commission of a 16-25 years Supported Accommodation Service from external providers, with an estimated cost of £33.1 million over a period of 4.5 years, as set out in this report.

Reasons for Decision

The Council has a statutory duty under the requirements to support Looked after Children and Care Leavers as contained in The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Care Leavers (England) Regulations 2010.

The Council’s existing framework contract for the delivery of the service will expire on 30th September 2024.

The Council wishes to re-commission the existing service for 4.5 years (1st October 2024 until 31st March 2029) with an estimated cost of £33.1 million.

Any re-commissioning of the service will seek the procurement and award of a 4.5-year contract in accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015 and Contracts Standing Orders.

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Do nothing - which we cannot as the provision of this Service is a statutory duty; therefore, we must deliver it.

Deliver the service in-house – we currently do not have the expertise or capacity to deliver the service in-house.

Do our own tender - which would be a collaboratively procured approach on the open market, through an open tender, as this would maximise the interest and competition and thereby return the most economically advantageous tender.