Decision details
Regional Joint Commissioning, Supported Accommodation Framework for 16/17 year olds
PDF 210 KBDecision Maker: Cabinet member young people and children's wellbeing (Historic)
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
To seek approval to enter into a partnership
with other West Midlands Councils but in particular Staffordshire
County Council (acting as lead procurement council) and deliver a
Framework for Supported Accommodation Provider Agencies to provide
a list of providers and rates for Supported Accommodation Services
to be used when 16/17 year olds who are accepted as homeless and
treated as in care under section 20 of the Children Act. It also so
seeks approval to delegate the decision to enter into contractual
arrangements with successful providers in line with the framework
terms should it be deemed appropriate to do so.
The framework will not commit the council to any expenditure unless
a young person is placed with an agency. The council will utilise
the framework on a tiered basis with the most effective providers
(in terms of cost and quality) being approached first. However it
allows the council certainty in terms of clearly identified fees
obtained through a competitive tender process.
Whilst this seeks to reduce the overall cost of supported
accommodation care to the council from independent agencies the
council will reserve the right not to accept or enter into
contractual arrangements with any individual or all
providers.
Decision:
That:
(a) Herefordshire Council join the West Midlands Councils Framework for supported accommodation provider agencies, terminating no later than 8 January 2021; and
(b)
the director for children’s wellbeing be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to maintain Herefordshire Council’s participation in the framework having regard to the favourability of the fees, terms and conditions established by the framework and provider performance.
Alternative options considered:
Do nothing. A framework for providers came to an end in December 2016 since when Herefordshire Council has been undertaking spot purchases as and when required. Due to the very small number of placements currently made by the council this arrangement does not bring any cost certainty or control and may not even be commercially viable to a provider, if they were to set up a provision within the county.
Reason Key: Expenditure and strategic nature / impact on communities;
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Contact: Sandra Griffiths, Commissioning officer Email: sgriffiths3@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 383141.
Publication date: 06/09/2017
Date of decision: 06/09/2017
Effective from: 13/09/2017
Accompanying Documents: