Purpose

Permission to procure new programme for a ‘Healthy Schools and Early Years Programme’ across Liverpool schools, early years and alternative provision settings

Decision

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

1)    Commence a procurement process to secure a provider to deliver a ‘Healthy Schools and Early Years’ programme for Liverpool. The contract will be for an initial three-year term and will include the option for the Council to extend for a period of up to two years at the Council's sole discretion, subject to satisfactory performance, achievement of objectives and the availability of funding. The total contract value for the three-year initial term, with the optional two-year extension, will be a maximum of £2,500,000 (excluding VAT).

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Do Nothing – Under the terms of the Public Health grant local authorities are mandated to commission public health services for children aged 0 to 19, or 25 years old with special educational needs. Without significant transformation of local provision and an increase in the prevention/early intervention agenda, health outcomes for children and young people will continue to worsen, therefore doing nothing is not an option. 

Option 2: Develop an internal function with the Council – an option of developing a Healthy Schools and Early Years function within Liverpool City Council has been considered as an option. However, an external organisation would bring specialist expertise in delivering similar services, flexibility and innovation in their approach and potentially established networks and relationships with school and early years settings or the ability to develop these.