Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Children and Education presented a report in respect of proposals for the procurement of a Framework Agreement for the provision of semi-independent accommodation services for young people leaving care and other vulnerable groups. 

The Cabinet Member advised that it was proposed to participate in a multi-authority contract, led by London Borough of Haringey, which would assist the Council in meeting its legal obligations under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 through an improved, more cost-effective service in comparison to the current spot-purchase arrangements.  It was anticipated that the new arrangements would also result in significantly better quality assurance through the improved monitoring of providers and information-sharing between participating authorities. 

Cabinet agreed:

  (i)  That the Council be named as a participating authority in a tendering exercise led by the London Borough of Haringey and involving a number of other participating authorities, for the procurement of a four-year Framework Agreement for the provision of semi-independent accommodation services, as described within the report;

  (ii)  The procurement of semi-independent accommodation for care-leavers as and when required by the Council, via the Framework Agreement; and

 (iii)  To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to award contracts for the provision of semi-independent accommodation as and when required by the Council, via the Framework Agreement.