Purpose

Request additional approval from Cabinet to increase the value of the Advocacy and Independent Visitors contract.

Decision

(a)           That a maximum spend limit of £1.3million on this contract be approved, which would ensure our children and young people had access to an advocate or Independent Visitor in accordance with our local authority responsibilities.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Children's Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education to negotiate and authorise any further contract extensions or amendments subject to the spend limit in as set out in (a) above.

Reason for the decision

Approval was sought to increase the contract spend limit and cover extended demand for Dorset’s Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service, reflecting higher than anticipated usage and future growth beyond the original Cabinet-approved value and term.