Purpose

• The Children with Disabilities: Early Support Learning
Provision (ESLP) service was recommissioned through an
open competitive tender for Children with Disabilities (CWD)
services in October 2023 and awarded to the Early Years
Alliance (trading as Pre-School Learning Alliance).
• The Contract commenced 1st April 2024 for an initial term of
three years to 31st March 2027, with an option for an
extension or extensions of up to 24 months.
• The Service supports Lincolnshire CWD in their early years
up until they transition into full time education (Reception
Year) through social and learning opportunities, alongside
their peers, aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) Curriculum. The Service also offers parents/carers a
suitable short break from their caring responsibilities.
• Service delivery is from 13 identified Lincolnshire Children’s
Centres or Family Hubs and the Service also works in
partnership with the Best Start Lincolnshire: Early Years and
Family Service to support CWD in their early years, and their
families, to access the universal offer within their local
Children’s Centre or Family Hub.
• The Service is performing well in terms of performance
against its key performance indicators (KPIs).
• The Executive Councillor for Children’s Services supported
the extension of the Contract in April 2026.
• The up to 24-month extension to the Contract is allowed for
within the contractual terms and conditions.
• The contractual terms and conditions within the Contract
includes a Break clause which permits the Council to
terminate the Contract at any time by giving six months’
written notice. In such circumstances, the Contract limits
the Supplier’s entitlement on termination under the Break
clause to evidenced, unavoidable direct losses that cannot
be mitigated or recovered through insurance, and excludes
claims for loss of profit and staff-related costs.

Decision

The Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation
with the Executive Councillor for Children’s Services approves
an extension to the Children with Disabilities: Early Support
Learning Provision (ESLP) Contract with the Pre-School
Learning Alliance (trading as Early Years Alliance).
The current Contract ends on 31st March 2027 and shall be
extended for up to 24 months from 1st April 2027 to 31st
March 2029. The initial extension period shall be for 12
months (1st April 2027 to 31st March 2028) with the decision
to extend for the remaining 12 months delegated to the
Assistant Director Children’s Education.
The value of the extension for the initial 12-month period
shall be £293,849 (excluding VAT) plus an inflationary uplift
governed by National Living Wage and the Consumer Price
Index (to be agreed in October 2026). The value of the
extension for the second 12-month period shall be that
agreed for the first 12 months, plus an inflationary uplift
governed by National Living Wage and the Consumer Price
Index (to be agreed in October 2027).

Alternative options considered

Do nothing (extension): this was not a viable option. The
Contract with the Early Years Alliance (trading as Pre-School
Learning Alliance) expires on 31st March 2027. To do
nothing/de-commission would mean that this service would no
longer be available from 1st April 2027. An extension to the
current contract is allowed for within the contractual terms and
conditions.
Recommission through a competitive procurement process:
the extension to the Contract is allowed for within the terms
and conditions. As such there would be no benefit in
undertaking a competitive procurement process, as it would
require officer time to complete. To ensure best value for
money for Lincolnshire children and their families, time would
be better served on focusing on the continuation of the
Children with Disabilities: Early Support Learning Provision
Contract to ensure no disruption for services users.