To consider and approve the continuation of  access to leisure activities for looked after children and care leavers via a discounted voucher system.

That:

(a)         the council appoints Halo Leisure to provide a framework of discounted leisure vouchers that can be purchased for looked after children and care leavers for a further period of five years from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2023.

1.           Payments could be made directly to children and young people, either in the form of cash or via a pre-payment card.  However there would be a risk that funds could be used for unintended purposes.  The purchase of activities in this way would also be at additional cost, as the vouchers are discounted (see paragraph 9 for the discounted rates).  Pre-payments cards are currently being procured and the children’s wellbeing commissioners will work with Halo to explore whether the discounted vouchers could be replaced by pre-paid cards whilst maintaining the discounted rates.

2.           Leisure allowances could be included in carers fees. There is also a risk that funds could be used for non-leisure purposes and the discounted element to the voucher system would not be applicable.

3.           The council could conduct a competitive tender exercise to contract with a single provider or framework agreement with multiple providers. However, the low value of spend (approximately £10k per year) is unlikely to attract a range of providers that could offer the breadth of activities available through Halo.  As the council could not provide any additional funding or activities, this would impact on achieving our corporate parenting strategy and result in fewer children and young people taking part in activities that improve their physical health and mental wellbeing and improve self-esteem and confidence.