Purpose

This report seeks approval to extend and vary the existing Community Play Provision (Lot 1) contracts to ensure continuity of inclusive play provision for Children in Need (CIN), disabled children, and affordable out-of-school childcare for working families across Camden.

The Council commissions four community-based play providers (one of which is a consortium of four voluntary sector organisations) to deliver after-school clubs and holiday play schemes for children aged 4–12. This provision plays a key role in meeting the Council’s statutory duties under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, the Breaks for Carers Act 2011, and the Childcare Sufficiency Duty, while also supporting early intervention, prevention, and wider wellbeing outcomes.

The contracts were originally awarded on 2 August 2019 for a five-year period, with two optional two-year extensions. The first extension has already been exercised, and all contracts currently run until 31 August 2026. Following mid-contract review, this report recommends exercising part of the second extension to extend three contracts for a further 16 months (from 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2027), alongside proportionate contract variations to reflect London Living Wage (LLW) and inflationary pressures. A shorter, conditional extension is proposed for Hampstead Community Centre to allow time to resolve premises suitability issues and undertake contingency planning.

The report is being submitted to the Executive Director Children and Learning under delegated authority in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Contract Standing Orders.

Decision

That the Executive Director Children and Learning, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life:

1. Notes the performance of all four existing Community Play Provision (Lot 1) contracts.

PACE

1. Approves an extension of the contract with PACE for Community Play Provision (Lot 1) for 16 months from 1st September 2026 to 31st December 2027 and a variation to increase the contract price for the extension period by £22,623 for a total sum of no greater than £668,994.
2. Grants a waiver to implement the variation as it is not permissible under the terms of the contract as required under CSO E2.2 and in line with CSO F3.3.

Hampstead Community Centre

1. Approves an extension of the contract with Hampstead Community Centre for Community Play Provision (Lot 1) for 4 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months (16 months in total) from 1st September 2026 to 31st December 2026 (optional extension until 31st December 2027) and a variation to increase the contract price for the extension period by £2,014 for a total sum of no greater than £59,563.
2. Grants a waiver to implement the variation as it is not permissible under the terms of the contract as required under CSO E2.2 and in line with CSO F3.1.

Coram’s Fields

1. Approves an extension of the contract with Coram’s Fields for Community Play Provision (Lot 1) for 16 months from 1st September 2026 to 31st December 2027 and a variation to increase the contract price for the extension period by £3,734 for a total sum of no greater than £110,416.
2. Grants a waiver to implement the variation as it is not permissible under the terms of the contract as required under CSO E2.2 and in line with CSO F3.1.

Adventure Play for All Consortium

1. Approves an extension of the contract with the Adventure Play for All Consortium for Community Play Provision (Lot 1) for 16 months from 1st September 2026 to 31st December 2027 and a variation to increase the contract price for the extension period by £22,625 for a total sum of no greater than £669,063.
2. Grants a waiver to implement the variation as it is not permissible under the terms of the contract as required under CSO E2.2 and in line with CSO F3.3.

That the Executive Director Corporate Services approves a waiver to vary the contracts further to Recommendations 3 and 9.