Issue - meetings

This report concerns the placement of the London Borough of Brent, secondary aged students with Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN) for Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD).

(i)         that approval be given for an exemption from the usual requirement of Contract Standing Orders in accordance with paragraph 84(a) of Contract Standing Orders for the good operational reasons set out in section 3.1 – 3.2.9 of the report, to allow the award of a three-year contract to TCES from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2015 at the rates outlined in this report and agreed in principle with TCES;

(ii)        that the cost reduction in current ‘spot’ purchase rates for Brent young people already placed at NWLIS for the interim period March 2012 to August 2012 from when the 3 year contract will proceed be noted;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Director of Children and Families  to conclude negotiations with TCES and award the proposed 3 year block contract.

The report from the Director of Children and Families sought approval for an exemption in accordance with paragraph 84(a) of Standing Orders to allow a three year contract to be awarded to Transitional Care Education Services (TCES) for 15 places for secondary aged students with Statements of Special Educational Need for Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties, with an anticipated commencement date from 1 September 2012 for SEN Independent Special School provision. It specifically addressed the arrangements for students placed with the North West London Independent Special School (NWLIS), an independent day special school for students with BESD run by TCES. This would allow for the development of a long term partnership with a partner provider. Councillor Arnold drew members’ attention to the advantages and risks associated with the proposals which would be monitored.

The Director of Children and Families added that discussions were taking place within the West London Alliance on the provision of local authority maintained secondary provision for students with Statements of Special Educational Needs for BESD to improve outcomes and improve efficiency.

The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that approval be given for an exemption from the usual requirement of Contract Standing Orders in accordance with paragraph 84(a) of Contract Standing Orders for the good operational reasons set out in section 3.1 – 3.2.9 of the report, to allow the award of a three-year contract to TCES from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2015 at the rates outlined in this report and agreed in principle with TCES;

(ii)        that the cost reduction in current ‘spot’ purchase rates for Brent young people already placed at NWLIS for the interim period March 2012 to August 2012 from when the three year contract would proceed be noted;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Director of Children and Families  to conclude negotiations with TCES and award the proposed three year block contract.