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.