Decision details
Authority to vary and extend a contract for the provision of a Targeted Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for Children and Young People Identified in Vulnerable Groups (Non-Key Officer Recordable Decision)
Decision Maker: Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Community Development
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To request authority to vary and extend a contract in respect of the Provision of a Targeted Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for Vulnerable Children and Young People in identified vulnerable groups with the Anna Freud Centre.
Decision:
That the Corporate Director Children and Young People:
i) Approves the variation of the contract for the provision of a Targeted Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for vulnerable children and young people in identified group with the Anna Freud Centre to reduce:
a. The agreed contract value for Year 3 by £72,324.88 (from £540,513.88 to £468,189.00) to cover for the provision of core services for the period 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026.
b. The number of children and young people that will be able to access the services from 350 to 300.
c. The number of staff by 1 FTE Wellbeing Practitioner.
d. Administrative [support] time by one day a week.
e. The Deputy Service Lead’s role by one day a week.
ii) Approves the extension of the contract for a period of 12 months from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council requires the provision of a Targeted Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for vulnerable children and young people in identified groups. The Council entered into a contract for this provision with the Anna Freud Centre that commenced on 1 February 2023.
Officers recommend extending the contract by 12 months from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026 as it is considered this will achieve best value for the Council and is reasonable in all the circumstances.
Alternative options considered:
Officers considered re-procuring the services for a short-term contract but concluded that extending and varying the existing contract was the most appropriate means of continuing to deliver the service at the current time. This will enable a full contract review and development of a future options appraisal to complete.
There is the option in the current contract to extend for a further 12-month period from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026. Taking up this option allows time to consider the best future approach for meeting the mental health and emotional wellbeing needs of vulnerable children and young people without disruption to current provision.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
None.
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Cabinet/Committee Decision or Scheme of Delegation: Officer scheme of delegation.
Parties Consulted: Consultation has been carried out within the Children and Young People department, including with the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.
Contact: Tanuja Saujani, Senior Commissioning Manager Email: Tanuja.Saujani@brent.gov.uk Tel: 020 8937 3719.
Publication date: 02/12/2024
Date of decision: 29/11/2024