Issue details

Recommissioning of accommodation services for young people aged 16+

The Council sources a range of different accommodation options as part of preparing young people aged 16 years and over who are looked after for living independently. Accommodation is also provided for other eligible 16+ young people, such as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). These accommodation services are currently accessed via a dynamic purchasing system (DPS), a mechanism that enables the Council to match a young person’s needs with a suitable accommodation provider.

 

The current DPS for 16+ services will expire on 31st March 2022. A framework agreement (under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 “light touch” regime – this will allow for a more flexible framework structure to be adopted) is proposed to replace the DPS as the mechanism for sourcing these services, to go live on 1st April 2022 and run for 5 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years if required. Based on the full-year cost of existing placements sourced through the current DPS, the estimated annual value of these services is £5.9m, giving an estimated maximum total contract spend of £41.3m.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Notice of proposed decision first published: 14/01/2021

Decision due: March 2021 by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Lead member: Councillor Jacquie Russell jacquie.russell@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Shelly Dichello, Children's Contracts and Commissioning Manager Email: shelly.dichello@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 24131.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.

Consultees

Procurement

Legal

Finance

Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553

Background3: Best Start in Life

Decisions

Background papers