Purpose

To approve the recommissioning of the Family Help Service

Decision

a) To approve the recommissioning of a Community Family Help Service through an open procurement process for an initial period of three years from 1 April 2027, at an initial contract value of £930,000, with options to extend for up to a further two years. If both extension years are used, the anticipated total contract value would be £1.55m, based on 180 referrals per annum; and,

b) To authorise the Corporate Director Children and Young People to purchase additional services should the need arise during the contract term up to a maximum budget of £3.2m (inclusive of the £1.55m anticipated spend) provided within the approved Council’s budget and /or within any subsequent in-year additional Government grant funding; and

c) To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Children and Young People to take all operational decisions necessary to complete the procurement process and to award, implement, manage, vary, extend or terminate the contract in accordance with the approved budget and contract terms.

Alternative options considered

1.     Do nothing and allow current contract to end on 31 March 2027 without commissioning replacement provision. This is not recommended as it would create a gap in the Community Family Help offer and disrupt support for families already receiving a service. It would reduce the availability of early, community-based support, increasing the risk that needs escalate and require statutory or longer-term intervention. This option would not support the council’s priorities for early help, prevention and improved outcomes for children and families.

2.     To expand in-house provision so the council has sufficient capacity to deliver the service directly. This option is not recommended as the proposed blended model provides a clear separation between statutory children’s social care and community-based family help support. This distinction is important in supporting earlier engagement with families, as some families may be more willing to access support from community providers rather than from children’s social care. It also provides a more appropriate route of support for families stepping down from social care involvement. The recommended approach therefore supports earlier intervention, reduces the risk of needs escalating, and strengthens the wider family help offer within the community. Expanding the in-house service would also require additional workforce capacity, management arrangements and infrastructure, which cannot currently be delivered within the required timescale.