Councillors and committees

Decision details

Commissioning of Personal Support Services for Children, Young People and their Families

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek Cabinet approval to form a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of Personal Support services so spot placements can be called off under this made from 1 April 2019.

A Dynamic Purchasing System is similar to a framework however it is a completely online system. Unlike a framework, suppliers can apply to join a DPS at any point during the lifetime of the DPS.

The Dynamic Purchasing System will run for three years with the potential to be extended up to a further 24 months.

Providers will be admitted to the DPS once they are evaluated following a competitive procurement process to be the most suitable to meet the specification and quality requirements but also offer value for money.

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the setup of a Light Touch Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the commissioning of Personal Support for Children, Young People and their Families be approved. This would enable call-off placements to be made under the Light Touch DPS from 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2022. (If both extension years are used the Light Touch DPS end date will be 31 March 2024.)

 

Reason for decision:

 

The current arrangements end on 31 March 2019 and the Council had statutory duties to provide these services.  The Council needed to ensure spend on personal support was compliant with Procurement regulations and addressed current overspend.

 

Feedback from professionals and families had indicated that there were limitations to the previous framework in terms of choice, flexibility and overall availability. Therefore a different approach was required. The new specifications would support improved outcomes for children and families.

 

The Light Touch DPS provided the opportunity to improve choice and flexibility for families through a dynamic list of approved suppliers. Support will be called off through the lifetime of the Light Touch DPS, therefore limiting spot-purchases, and as a result the new approach should offer better value for money.

 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children & Education Select Committee]

 

Report author: Samantha Morrison

Publication date: 19/12/2018

Date of decision: 18/12/2018

Decided at meeting: 18/12/2018 - Cabinet

Effective from: 29/12/2018

Accompanying Documents: