Agenda item

This report seeks Cabinet approval for the Council to work jointly with the London Borough of Harrow (“Harrow Council”) to undertake a joint (collaborative) procurement for the commissioning of statutory advocacy services, including Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA), Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and the Relevant Person’s Paid Representative (RPPR).

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the Council’s participation in a joint (collaborative) procurement exercise with the London Borough of Harrow (“Harrow Council”) for the commissioning of statutory advocacy services, namely: Care Act Advocacy, Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA) and Relevant Person’s Paid Representative (RPPR).

(2)    To approve the Council acting as the lead authority for the purposes of the tendering of the Advocacy Services, including responsibility for conducting the procurement process on behalf of both authorities.

(3)    To approve the proposed joint commissioning arrangements and confirms that the procurement will be undertaken on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.3.1 of the report and in accordance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, and applicable procurement legislation.

(4)    To approve the Corporate Director, Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Corporate Director Finance and Resources and the Director of Law:

·            agreeing and entering into the necessary inter?authority or collaboration arrangements with Harrow Council to give effect to the Council’s role as lead authority; and

·            being authorised to take all necessary steps to progress and complete the procurement exercise.

(5)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care to approve the award of the resulting contract following the completion of the procurement process.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 29 June 2026

Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy seeking approval for Brent to undertake a joint procurement with Harrow for the provision of statutory advocacy services including Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA), Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and the Relevant Person’s Paid Representative (RPPR) support.

In presenting the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt began by highlighting the importance of advocacy services in support of some of the most vulnerable residents accessing care and ensuring they had the necessary advice and guidance as part of that process, recognising the importance in ensuring those residents (often with the most complex needs) were able to understand what was happening and that their wishes, feelings and rights were properly represented as part of decisions being made about their care and support.

In terms of development of the approach outlined, members were advised this would involve Brent working jointly with Harrow Council to commission the required services (which it was confirmed were statutory in nature) not only enabling the provision of a strengthened offer but more effective engagement with the market to deliver better value for money while also maintaining clear accountability for Brent residents and Brent acting as the lead authority for the procurement process.  As part of the design of the proposals, assurance was also provided that both Brent and Harrow would retain their own decision-making responsibilities and enter into their own contracts.

In terms of the financial considerations, members were advised that Brent’s contract value had been estimated at £267,000 per year, funded from existing resources, with a proposed contract term of three years and the option to extend for a further two.  The approach was also felt to reflect the commitments made to residents in relation to delivery of more community-led care, prevention, dignity in later life, and building a more efficient and modern approach towards service delivery, recognising that adult social care was not only about the services commissioned but also about how people were treated, listened to and supported in order to be able to make informed choices about their own lives.

In support of the approach outlined and recognising the way in which it was felt the proposals would help reduce the risk of unmet need, support better physical and mental wellbeing as well as contribute to the wider ambition for a healthier Brent, where people were supported to live independently, safely and with dignity, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the Council’s participation in a joint (collaborative) procurement exercise with the London Borough of Harrow (“Harrow Council”) for the commissioning of statutory advocacy services, namely: Care Act Advocacy, Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA) and Relevant Person’s Paid Representative (RPPR).

(2)    To approve the Council acting as the lead authority for the purposes of the tendering of the Advocacy Services, including responsibility for conducting the procurement process on behalf of both authorities.

(3)    To approve the proposed joint commissioning arrangements and confirms that the procurement will be undertaken on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.3.1 of the report and in accordance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, and applicable procurement legislation.

(4)    To approve the Corporate Director, Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Corporate Director Finance and Resources and the Director of Law:

·            agreeing and entering into the necessary inter?authority or collaboration arrangements with Harrow Council to give effect to the Council’s role as lead authority; and

·            being authorised to take all necessary steps to progress and complete the procurement exercise.

(5)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care to approve the award of the resulting contract following the completion of the procurement process.