1. That the re-commissioning of the wider short breaks offer be brought forward and the Council work closely with children and families to co-produce a new local offer for short breaks so that new contracts 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 range of services, value for money, focus on outcomes and address the current gaps highlighted in the report.
3. That a contract with Surrey and Borders Partnership (SABP) for specialist short breaks at Beeches to 3 September 2017 be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
Having conducted a thorough assessment of need, it is clear that disabled children and families would benefit from a greater range of short breaks provision, and there is a need to address the gaps that exist in provision. 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 meantime, it is recommended that provision at Beeches be retained during this process and then included in the recommissioning cycle with the wider short breaks provision as set out above.
[The decision on this item may be called in by the Education and Skills Scrutiny Board]