Issue details

17/00102 - New contract for the delivery of Supported Accommodation for older Children in Care, Care Leavers and Homeless 16/17 Year Olds

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 13/11/2017

Decision due: Not before 15th Dec 2017 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education

Lead director: Vincent Godfrey

Department: Education & Young People's Services

Contact: Karen Mills, Commissioning Manager Tel: 03000 416486 Email: karen.mills@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 694531.

Consultees

The proposed decision was discussed at the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 22 November 2017.

 

KCC has sought views on different ways to deliver services to meet these outcomes through the public consultation ‘Proposed Changes to Kent’s Supported Accommodation and Floating Support Services’ between Monday 30 November 2015 and Monday 8 February 2016.  A consultation exercise will be carried out with all stakeholders jointly with Adult commissioning.

Financial implications: The value of these contracts is £2.88 million. Funding consists of two parts: Young People Housing Related Support budget and Specialist Children's Service budget.

Legal implications: The Council has a statutory duty to provide suitable and safe accommodation that has the right level of support for Children in Care (including UASC) in accordance with the Children’s Act 1989. The Council must provide Care Leavers (including former UASC) with support and financial support to assist in promoting their welfare, especially in relation to maintaining suitable accommodation and helping them to access education, training, and employment. Spending the Council’s Money expects procurement to be competitive. However there are exemptions that may apply to this action (e.g. the purchasing of adult and children’s services are required by law under the National Assistance Act 1948 and the Children Act 1989). Alternative processes are set out in Directorate Operational Procedures.

Equalities implications: An EQIA assessment for the wider 16-25 Accommodation Programme has been undertaken. A supplementary EQIA to focus on this specific action has been completed. An EQIA assessment has been completed in relation to the Adults commissioning plan and it will be updated to include vulnerable young people 18+.

Decisions

Agenda items