Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, the Director has decided to:

1)    Formally approve the award of the grant of £185,000 (excluding VAT) to Citizens Advice Liverpool, to deliver a 18-month pilot programme designed to offer holistic support to people accessing abortion care;

Alternative options considered

Option 1:  Do Nothing.  This would incur no financial or staff resource investment.   However, it would be a missed opportunity for a proactive intervention around a growing health inequality, and the need for holistic, post-abortion support would remain.  Inequalities are likely to persist or widen, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Option 2: Use another provider. The Council could choose to grant the funding to another Provider organisation.  However, this option is not recommended as an alternative provider would be unlikely to have the same established relationships or expertise locally, with the programme taking too long to embed and mobilise.