Issue - meetings

  Report CEF23024

The report provided details of the existing Family Group Conference service that supported children and young people to remain within their family networks and reduce the number entering the care system.  The existing contract for the provision of this service would end on 31 March 2024 and approval was requested to proceed to tender for a new Family Group Conference service for a five-year contract commencing on 1 April 2024, with the option to extend for a further two years.

In response to a question from a Member, the Integrated Strategic Commissioner advised that whilst the Family Group Conference service was not statutory, pressure on statutory services was reduced by supporting families to work on their strengths and identifying family and friends with whom a child or young person could be placed.  Providers tendering to deliver this service would be scored on a number of factors including a 20% weighting for social value which was based on the providers commitment to measures including a local supply chain and recruitment, apprenticeship opportunities and prioritising Children Looked After in work placements.  The Director of Children, Education and Families observed that the Local Authority had lower numbers of children in care than the London average and its statistical neighbours and that services such as the Family Group Conference service contributed to this success.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to grant approval in agreement with the Director of Children, Education and Families, Director of Corporate Services and Governance, Assistant Director of Governance and Contracts and the Director of Finance to proceed to tender for a new Family Group Conference service for a five-year contract commencing 1 April 2024, with the option to extend for a further two years, at an estimate annual value of £129.6k (estimated whole life value of £907k).