In a meeting on Wednesday 15 October 2025, Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, approved the award of framework agreements for short break services for disabled children and young people, and delegated authority to the Director of Children's Services to award framework agreements to successful bidders following the re-opening of the framework. The framework agreements, valued at an estimated £2.7 million over eight years, aim to provide disabled children and young people with opportunities to spend time away from their primary caregivers through various activities.

Award of Framework Agreements for Short Breaks

Councillor Zena Brabazon approved the award of framework agreements for the provision of short breaks services for disabled children and young people, and delegated authority to the Director of Children's Services to award framework agreements to successful bidders following the re-opening of the framework.

Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989¹ and the Children and Families Act 2014² to provide short break services for disabled children, young people, and their parents or carers. These services offer disabled children time away from their primary carers through various activities, including daytime, evening, overnight, and weekend sessions, either in the child's home, with approved carers, or in residential/community settings. Support is delivered via specialist services, temporary carers, or outreach workers, helping children access mainstream leisure activities while giving carers temporary relief.

The council conducted a competitive procurement process to establish a new open framework with multiple providers, divided into five categories (Lots):

• After-school activities
• Weekend activities
• Holiday activities
• Outreach services
• Other short breaks

The framework is scheduled to begin on 1 November 2025 for an initial four-year term, with an option to extend by up to four additional years (2+2), reaching an estimated total value of £2.7 million if fully extended. The council plans to reopen the framework every 12–18 months to allow new providers to join, without requiring existing providers to re-tender during these reopenings.

The report outlining the decision noted that:

The successful tenderers will contribute to the Council's commitment to deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits to its residents including payment of London Living wage to all staff, volunteering opportunities, apprenticeships, creation of new jobs for residents from hardto-reach communities, various initiatives for waste reduction and recycling.

Alternative options considered were:

• Do nothing: This was rejected because the council has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to provide breaks from caring for carers of disabled children.
• Deliver in house: This was rejected because the council does not currently have the resources to deliver the service in house.

The decision aligns with Haringey's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, specifically the themes related to Children and Young People, including Best Start in Life , Happy Childhoods , and Successful Futures . The framework aims to increase access to inclusive, high-quality short breaks for children with disabilities and reduce barriers to participation in leisure and social activities for children with protected characteristics.