Issue - meetings

Report ED18044

The Sub-Committee considered a report outlining the context of the SEND review and how this had been approached.  The report also provided an update on phase one of the High Needs SEND review and set out the proposal to deliver phase two of the review.  To this end the report sought approval to award a further contract via exemption to competitive tendering to SEND4change for delivery of phase 2 of the review.

Following the DfE announcement in March 2017 of the High Needs Strategic Planning Fund (HNSPF) grant, Bromley was in the process of carrying out a strategic review of its high needs provision. Through the use of this grant, the Local Authority was working with education settings, providers, partners and with parents and young people.

A contract was awarded, following a competitive tender, to SEND4change to support phase one of the strategic review.  The contract commenced in June 2017 and came to an end on 31 December 2017.  The contract value was £80k, funded through the HNSPF grant.

A Member suggested that it may be beneficial to liaise with neighbouring boroughs to identify if there was any additional demand.  In response the SEND Operations Manager confirmed that reviews of other London boroughs (not specifically neighbouring boroughs) were being undertaken, but that  a good relationship existed between Bromley and its neighbouring boroughs so the opportunities that this would afford in terms of place planning was being taken into consideration.

In response to a question the SEND Operations Manager confirmed that Officers had been happy with the work undertaken by SEND4change to date.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder for Education, Children and Families be recommended to:

1.  Note the plans for phase two of the strategic review of high needs provision;

2.  Approve the award of contract for delivery of phase two of the strategic review to SEND4change via an exemption to competitive tender for a contract period of 1 February 2018 to 30 April 2018 at a value of £32k.