Decision

To extend the contract with Beebot AI Ltd for the provision of Digital Solutions supporting Family Hubs, the statutory Local Offer, and the statutory Family Information Service (FIS) for 12 months.

Reasons for the decision

The Council is required, under the Department for Education’s Family Hubs Programme Guide: Digital and Data Expectations, to maintain a Digital Front Door for Family Hubs. In North Northamptonshire, this Digital Front Door also provides access to SEND IASS, the statutory Local Offer, and the statutory Family Information Service.

Applying a 12-month extension to the current contract will ensure continuity of provision in line with the Family Hub grant conditions, safeguard the Council’s statutory responsibilities, and allow time to develop plans for a larger joint commissioning exercise with Adult Services achieving economies of scale.