Purpose

This Key Executive Decision is seeking
approval to procure a Havering Short Breaks Open Framework that
enables the approval and ongoing quality assurance of the providers
that are entered onto it.
 
The framework aims to further develop a wide
range of short breaks activities and enable access to parent/carers
of children with special educational needs anddisabilities (SEND).
It will develop a wide variety of fun,
meaningful, supporting options available and will ensure the
Council is compliant with its statutory duty under the Children Act
1989, which requires Local Authorities to provide services
designated to provide a break to carers of children with
disabilities.

Decision

Report Title: Proposal to procure an Open
Flexible Framework and interim arrangements for Havering’s
Children’s with Disabilities Statutory Short Breaks.
    
Presented by: Councillor Oscar Ford –
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
 
Cabinet:
 
1.        
Agreed to procure a Havering Short Breaks open framework
commencing on 01 October 2026 for a term of five-years at an
estimated value to the Council of £13.136m, noting the price:
quality evaluation ratio to be used of 30:70.
2.        
Agreed to extend the current two Havering Short Breaks
contracts with Family Information Group (FIG) and Disablement
Association of Barking & Dagenham (DABD) for six months from 01
April 2026 until 30 September 2026 to support the interim
arrangements.
 
3.        
Agreed to extend the arrangements for provision of Short
Breaks via Individual Placement Agreements (IPAs) with existing
providers and if required with new providers until the commencement
of the new Short Breaks’ framework on 30 September 2026.
 
4.        
Delegated authority to the Director of Starting Well to:
 
a.         enter
all arrangements and documentation necessary to give effect to 2
and 3 above
b.        
establish the Short Breaks Framework and award initial framework
contracts; and open the framework and award framework contracts as
required throughout the term of the framework.
c.         set the
fee for access to the Short Breaks Framework and enter into access
agreements as required
 
5.        
Noted that call off contracts throughout the term of the
framework will be awarded in line with the Council’s
financial scheme of delegation