Decision details

The County Council has a statutory duty to provide a range of services to assist parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities and complex needs in ensuring appropriate and effective provision for the child or young person in their care. Where these needs impact significantly on daily life, it can be necessary to commission specialist support and care provision.  These services are currently commissioned through the Supported Living and Family Support Services Framework (SLFSSF), which ends on 31st July 2021.

In order to ensure the continuation of services on conclusion of the existing Framework this report seeks approval to commence a procurement for the provision of Family and Community Support Services for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This will be achieved through the establishment of a new Framework Agreement for Family and Community Support (FACS) for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The projected maximum cost of the Framework over its maximum length (8 years) is £4.3 million (based on the current spend with an estimated annual uplift of 2%).

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People has approved:-

(1)The commencement of a procurement for a Framework Agreement for Family and Community Support for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities for a duration of 4 years commencing in September 2021 with the option to extend for a further 4 years.

(2)The transfer of any current contracted business commissioned through the Supported Living and Family Support Services Framework for children and young people to the new Framework.

(3)The delegation of authority to the Executive Director Children, Young People and Learning to implement the Framework Agreement for the initial 4 year period and further extension periods as necessary.

None