Decision details

Proposed decision:

To use the first of the two, two year options to extend the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse (KIDAS) contract to 31 March 2024 and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to use the second two year option, subject to market testing and good performance, to extend the KIDAS Contract to 31 March 2026, should it be required.

Background:

It has not been possible to bring this decision to an earlier Cabinet Committee due to the timing of the Domestic Abuse Act legislation and accompanying guidance. Whilst Domestic Abuse Act legislation received Royal Assent in April, the guidance about the new legal obligations was not published until mid-June and the government’s consultation period on this guidance does not conclude until 27 July. It is this guidance that enables the council to judge whether the existing contractual arrangements are best placed to meet its newly acquired responsibilities. With no cabinet committee date between June and September, taking the decision out of cycle gives members the most time to make any alternative recommendations, should they wish. A delay until the September committee would mean the decision could not be taken and implemented until the end of October which will leave members with little alternative but to extend.

The current term of the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) contract is due to expire on 31 March 2022. The contract has options to extend to 31 March 2026. The performance of the contract has been evaluated and found to be good. It is evidently delivering positive outcomes for victims of domestic abuse. The council has been allocated over £3m in new funding for 2021/22 in relation to the new statutory responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act.

With the guidance now published, the KIDAS contract is the ideal vehicle to use this money effectively and compliantly. It is recommended that the council exercise the option to extend the KIDAS contract contained within the contract. The first contract extension runs to 31 March 2024 at a value of £4,636,690.40. The second two-year extension available will be subsequently needed, subject to good performance and market testing. This will enable the council to respond to the future government plans for this agenda. This extension will run to 31 March 2026 and its value is £4,636,690.40.

Reason for the decision:The current term of the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) contract is due to expire on 31 March 2022. The performance of the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) contract has been evaluated and found to be good. The contract provides an ideal vehicle to mobilise the 2021/22 new funding allocation and effectively and compliantly to support the council in delivering its new statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.  The contract has two options to extend. The first contract extension runs to 31 March 2024 at a value of £4,636,690.40.

The second two-year extension available will be subsequently needed, subject to good performance and market testing. This will enable the council to respond to the future government plans for this agenda. This extension will run to 31 March 2026 and its value is £4,636,690.40.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I:  

a) AGREE to use the first of the two, two-year options to extend the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse contract to 31 March 2024; and

b) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to use the second two-year option, subject to market testing and good performance, to extend the KIDAS Contract to 31 March 2026, should it be required.