Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.         That the re-commissioning of the wider short breaks offer be brought forward and the Council works closely with children and families to co-produce a new local offer for short breaks, so that new contracts and care packages , as detailed in the report, start on 4 September 2017 and existing contracts are terminated on 3 September 2017.

2.         That the Council work with current and potential new providers to develop the market for short breaks to improve the range of services, value for money, focus on outcomes and address the current gaps highlighted in this report.

3.         That a contract with Surrey and Borders Partnership (SABP) for specialist short breaks at Beeches to 3 September 2017, at a cost detailed in the report, be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

Surrey County Council would benefit from a greater range of short breaks provision, particularly addressing the gaps highlighted in this report. This will require work to develop the market, working with families and current and potential new providers. The next commissioning cycle is currently planned for contracts to commence on 1 April 2018. This commissioning cycle should be completed earlier in order to improve the offer for children and families and increase value for money. However, there needs to be sufficient time to co-design the new offer with families and to develop the market. It is therefore recommended that the wider short breaks offer is re-commissioned from 4 September 2017, with current contracts, grants and service level agreements ending on 3 September 2017.

In the meanwhile, it is recommended that provision at Beeches be retained and then this provision be de-commissioned at the same time as all short breaks provision in readiness of the re-commissioning of short breaks.