This proposed decision was considered by the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 5 December 2017 and will be discussed further on Thursday 18 January 2018. Based on comments received the Cabinet Member and officers have further considered the proposals and made amendments to reflect those comments. In order that the governance processes and consultation are as robust and transparent as possible it has been agreed that the decision will now be split in to two.
17/00121(a) – To bring three of the six currently commissioned Children’s Centres (Folkestone Early Years, Hythe Bay and The Village) into KCC directly delivered provision embedded fully within the Early Help model and re-provision the existing Early Help offer to allow for the changes to the commissioned services.
To reduce the current funding levels of the two remaining centres (Millmead and Seashells) with the view to re-procure the service in twelve months’ time. The detail of the funding reduction has yet to be agreed, but options will be discussed by representatives in Early Help and Preventative Service and both providers.
Expected date: 4th January 2018
17/00121(b) – To bring Riverside
commissioned Children’s Centre into KCC directly delivered
provision fully within the Early Help model and re-provision the
existing Early Help offer to allow for the change in the
commissioning arrangements. This will
include a detailed schedule of services that will continue to be
delivered at the Riverside Centre as a venue.
Expected date: 24th January 2018 (following further
consideration at CYPE Cabinet Committee on 18th January
2018)
Background
There are 85 Children’s Centres across Kent. Of the 85, six are commissioned Children’s Centres, provided by six different organisations. The remaining 79 Centres are provided directly by KCC. Of the six commissioned Centres, five are subject to a contract and one is managed via a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
A review was undertaken to look at the disparity in cost, the effectiveness and the value for money delivered by the six commissioned children’s centres across the county when compared to the other KCC children’s centres, which are directly delivered as part of the Early Help offer. As part of this review, consideration was given to the added social value offered across some community hubs.
Options
By bringing four of the six centres (Riverside, Folkestone Early Years, Hythe Bay and The Village) into the wider Early Help model for Childrens Centres and reducing the overall budget of each of the four centres by 63% and using the remaining 37% to fund an alternative in house option the savings would equate to £450k per annum.
Where there is good service provision and a high added social value (Millmead and Seashells) the proposal would be to reduce the financial envelop for these two centres (to be negotiated) for 1 year, whilst a re-procurement exercise is undertaken.
How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’:
In order to develop proposals for future options for the commissioned centres, commissioning officers have undertaken a review of each of the centres comparing unit costs, quality of provision, performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and added social value.
The approach and focus of the review was fully aligned to supporting the outcomes associated with the Strategic Outcome ‘Children and Young People in Kent get the best start in life’.
As part of this review consideration has also been given to how the Local Authority will ensure residents and the wider community continue to receive robust services at the right time from the right place. The commissioning team have therefore taken into account the available financial envelope and developments to the existing internal provision.
Millmead and Seashells are able to demonstrate how they have developed projects and generated other funding streams to assist their core offer. These innovations have increased their added social value. This is not the case for the remaining four centres, where service users would be unlikely to notice any change in provision should services be moved from external to being part of the wider internal Early Help offer. The Director of Early Help and Preventative Services will ensure that the in-house Early Help offer appropriately meets the needs of families currently using the commissioned children’s centres.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Canterbury City North; Folkestone East; Folkestone West; Hythe West; Margate; Sheppey;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 15/12/2017
This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.
Reason for urgency:
Proposals were considered further since consideration at Cabinet Committee and negotiations have also continued. The proposals published here reflect the current position. The decision has been split into two parts, only the first of which is subject to the general exception.
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Decision due: Not before 24th Jan 2018 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: Patrick Leeson
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Stuart Collins, Director of Integrated Children's Services (West Kent and Early Help and Preventative Services Lead) Tel: 03000 410519 Email: stuart.collins@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The current providers were fully engaged in the review process. The findings of the review and the recommendations have been presented to CMM and Strategic Commissioning Board. Following this decision, Early Help Commissioning will work with the providers to implement these changes.
Legal implications: As a result of this decision, notice will need to be served to Riverside, Folkestone Early Years, Hythe Bay and The Village. Contract variations will need to be put in place for Millmead and Seashells. Each of the contracts and the SLA are subject to a 3-month notice period for either a change in contract or for termination.
Equalities implications: Implications on equalities were considered as part of the review. It is felt that the recommendations have a low negative impact the ability to deliver support and facilities that are appropriate for service users.