Decision

Having considered an open officer report, Cllr Barnham MOVED, Cllr Dacres SECONDED and it was RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the outline of the co-produced early childhood offer as outlined in Section 7, which will replace the existing early years offer delivered by our children and family centres. The new offer will provide an equitable offer across the borough and be implemented from 1 October 2024.
2. Note the intention to fully integrate the new early childhood offer from 1 October 2024 into the Family Hub model to provide a fully integrated and seamless wholefamily support offer with a single access point for families.
3. Approve an extension of up to six months to the existing children and families centre agreements from the 1 April 2024 until 30 September 2024 at a total value of £835,000. This breaks down as follows:

·         Extension to the contract between the Council and Early Years Alliance (formerly Pre-School Learning Alliance) at a total cost of £650k

·         Extension of the contract between the Council and Downderry School at a cost of £100k

·         Extension of the contract between the Council and Kelvin Grove and Elliot Bank Nursey at a cost of £85k

1. Approve the application for a grant of £4m to the Department for Education to the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme (Wave 2) to support the development and implementation of the council’s Family Help model in 2024-25. If successful, the Council will be required to enter into a grant agreement for 2024- 25.
2. Delegate to the Executive Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Director of Law and Corporate Governance, to approve entering into a Grant Agreement.