Purpose

This report outlines proposals for the
commissioning of the Breastfeeding Network to deliver the peer
support element of Lambeth’s infant feeding offer as part of
a wider partnership encompassing maternity services, Health
Visiting and Better Start Children’s Centres. This is a key
component of Lambeth’s Better Start (Start for Life) offer
and utilises a proportion of the Infant Feeding element of the
Start for Life grant.

The Breastfeeding Network has to date been commissioned by the
National Children’s Bureau (NCB) to deliver this support
under a joint funding agreement between the NHS South East London
Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB) (Lambeth Place) and the LEAP
programme. As there will be some additional investment from the
Council using the Start for Life grant in 2023-24 and 2024-25 and
the contribution from the LEAP programme has reduced as per
programme plans, it is now timely to transfer commissioning
responsibility from NCB to the Council.

To ensure continuity of service provision the report proposes a
direct award to the Breastfeeding Network.

Decision

1.          
This report seeks to approve a waiver under section 17.1 of the
councils Contract Standing Orders and directly  award The Breastfeeding Network to deliver the
Breastfeeding Peer Support Service in Lambeth. The contract will
run from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2025 at a value of
£45,933 in 2023-24 and £137,800 in 2024-25 and total
maximum value of £183,733 over the term.