Issue details

Continuing arrangements for the provision of urgent and specialist support for children and young people

In the past year the County Council has experienced high volumes of requests for nurse-led care for children and young people at short notice and often in emergency situations. No existing framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is available at present to enable the County Council to purchase the type of care that meets the needs of these vulnerable children due to the specialist services required and the notice periods given (often same day). The Covid-19 pandemic has also increased the demand for emergency provision to support families as part of the Council’s response.

 

The Council has contracted with a small number of providers to obtain these specialist services over the past year. The need to continue purchasing these services is projected to continue, so it has been necessary to extend existing arrangements with these providers whilst a more competitive framework agreement for purchasing this care is established, to be live from the beginning of March 2022.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 22/07/2021

Decision due: November 2021 by Executive Director Children, Young People and Learning

Lead member: Lucy Butler, Director of Children, Young People and Learning lucy.butler@westsussex.gov.uk

Lead director: Lucy Butler

Contact: Thomas Strivens, Programme Manager Email: thomas.strivens@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 22082.

Consultation process

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

Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553

Decisions

Background papers

  • None