Purpose

The Step Up to Social Work Programme is a
fully funded training programme for social workers. The current
contract ends on 26th June 2023 with no option to extend.
Hammersmith and Fulham is the lead borough on behalf of the West
London Regional Partnership for this programme. This report seeks
approval of a strategy to recommission a higher education partner
to work with the local authority to deliver the programme by way of
a competitive procurement exercise.

Decision

 
1.            
To note that Appendix 1 is not for publication on
the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or
business affairs of any particular person (including the authority
holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A
of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). 
 
2.            
To approve the award of a contract for the Step Up
to Social Work Programme to the University of Hertfordshire for the
period 26th June 2023 – 25th June 2025. The contract value
will be £0.465m for 2 years, with the option to extend twice,
with two years for each extension.
 
3.            
To note that this brings the total contract value
after both possible extensions to £1.394m. The contract will
only continue based on satisfactory performance by the provider and
continued funding from the Department for Education
(DfE).