Purpose

The report seeks to gain support from Health and Adult Services Executive that the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services approves
the extension of the S75 partnership agreement with Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust
for the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme from April 2027-March 2029.

Decision

Approval has been given to extend the Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust for the delivery of the 0-19 Healthy Child Service, for the period 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029.

Reasons for the decision

The Section 75 Agreement between North Yorkshire Council and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT)establishes a formal legal framework for the integrated delivery of the 0–19 Healthy Child Service. It enables joint planning and delivery of services to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families aged 0–19 (up to twenty-five for SEND). The agreement supports a coordinated, prevention-focused system while ensuring compliance with statutory public health and safeguarding duties.

Extending the Agreement will provide continuity and stability for children, young people and families, support delivery of the mandated elements of the Healthy Child Programme and enable continued development of integrated preventative services aligned to local priorities, including Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies, SEND, school readiness, emotional wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.

Alternative options considered

The alternative to extending the existing contract would be to undertake a full procurement exercise. This is not the preferred option given that there is a realistic option for extension of the current agreement, which has a good track record of performance and is well-embedded in terms of partnership working and local delivery. However, there is an opportunity to refresh the specification in line with the new commissioning guidance, and this would be undertaken through the established partnership governance arrangements. A variation to reflect this would form part of any new extension agreement.