Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That the use of a Dynamic Purchasing System to commission Early Help and emotional wellbeing provision for children, young people and families from January 2020 be approved.

2.    That the providers as listed in the Part 2 Annex of this report be awarded a place on the new DPS as they have passed the Invitation to Tender (ITT) evaluation process, whilst recognising that other organisations will be able to apply throughout the duration of the DPS.

3.    That authority be delegated for the approval of individual contract awards to the Executive Director of Children, Families, Life Long Learning and Culture.

Reason for Decision:

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the Light Touch Regime has been selected as the most appropriate route to market because:

·         It enables robust control of the quality of Early Help provision for children, young people and families;

·         It provides flexibility to meet the needs of the whole family regardless of the age of the children. This approach also helps to attract a wider range of suppliers and allows providers to enter / exit from the list without having to re-open frameworks, which can be legally challenging and bureaucratic;

·         It is responsive. It will enable us to ensure that the service providers who can meet the emergent needs of children, young people, and families are able to join the list throughout the length of the commission.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families introduced a report that described commissioned services that would form part of the new early help offer.  These would help to ensure that families had access to Early Help at the right time, in the right place and the right cost, that enables them to build resilience through safe, nurturing relationships that enhance emotional health and wellbeing, and enable children and young people to thrive, reducing the need for access to statutory services.  The Cabinet Member highlighted the need for a consistent offer across the county and referenced the Children’s Commissioner report of September 2018. 

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member explained that when the Family Support Grant ends, the Council would continue to fund.  She also explained how the Early Help profile would be raised and the message spread.  This included the schools consultation line, family information online and providers making the offer understood and known about.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the use of a Dynamic Purchasing System to commission Early Help and emotional wellbeing provision for children, young people and families from January 2020 be approved.

2.    That the providers as listed in the Part 2 Annex of this report be awarded a place on the new DPS as they have passed the Invitation to Tender (ITT) evaluation process, whilst recognising that other organisations will be able to apply throughout the duration of the DPS.

3.    That authority be delegated for the approval of individual contract awards to the Executive Director of Children, Families, Life Long Learning and Culture.

Reason for Decision:

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the Light Touch Regime has been selected as the most appropriate route to market because:

·         It enables robust control of the quality of Early Help provision for children, young people and families;

·         It provides flexibility to meet the needs of the whole family regardless of the age of the children. This approach also helps to attract a wider range of suppliers and allows providers to enter / exit from the list without having to re-open frameworks, which can be legally challenging and bureaucratic;

·         It is responsive. It will enable us to ensure that the service providers who can meet the emergent needs of children, young people, and families are able to join the list throughout the length of the commission.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]