Purpose

This report seeks approval for a Year 4 contract uplift and additional investment in the Public Health commissioned 0–19 Healthy Child Programme provided by Mersey Care NHS Trust. The proposal includes a 3.19% contract uplift (£193,771) to reflect increased workforce costs arising from national Agenda for Change pay awards, in line with provisions within the existing contract. It also requests funding for two additional Band 4 Infant Feeding posts (£76,547) to help address persistent breastfeeding inequalities across Sefton and support delivery of national Best Start in Life priorities. Funds for these arrangements were agreed at the Council’s Star Chamber meeting in December 2025 and are contained within the Public Health operational budget.

Additionally, a £25,000 annual contribution for three years (2026/27–2028/29) will fund a 0.4 WTE Specialist Nurse post to support implementation of the Best Start in Life Strategy and local delivery plan through external Department for Education (DfE) funds.

The total additional cost for 2026/27 is £295,318, funded through the Public Health and DfE Best Start in Life Grants. The contract uplift and additional Infant Feeding posts will apply for the remainder of the contract term - Years 4 and 5 of the core contract period (2026/27 and 2027/28) and, if exercised, a two-year extension period (2028/29 and 2029/30). The Specialist Nurse contribution is limited to a three-year period ending in March 2029. These investments will strengthen delivery of the Healthy Child Programme, support improved outcomes for children and families, and ensure compliance with contractual and national strategic requirements.

Decision

Decision(s):

1. The approved proposed contract uplift and additional resources, as outlined in this report, be noted.
2. It be noted that that the approval is also sought to vary the contracts to incorporate these additional costs for the remainder of the contract term.    

Reasons for the recommendation:

The proposed contract uplift and additional resources will support the continued delivery and sustainability of the 0–19 Healthy Child Programme, ensuring the service remains able to meet increasing workforce costs, address breastfeeding inequalities, and deliver local and national Best Start in Life priorities. The proposals are fully funded through approved Public Health Grant and DfE funding and will be implemented through appropriate contract variations.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable