Purpose

Approval of extension of
Children's care at home contracts

Decision

That
the strategic director of children and adult services:
 
1. 
Approve the combined procurement strategy and award
of three individual contracts for the delivery of Children’s
home care services for Southwark Council to the providers included
on the Children’s home care framework: De Vere Care, Supreme
Care Services, and Unique Personnel, in the estimated sum of
£488,000 for a period of ten months commencing on 1 June 2025
to 31 March 2026, noting that a continuation of existing
arrangements under a new framework agreement will allow time for
the design of a new service model and procurement strategy for a
future service. Please see paragraph 67 for a breakdown of the
individual contract values.
 
2. 
Notes that Contact Professionals, a provider on the
existing Children’s framework which expires 31 May 2025, will
not be awarded an individual contract for the period 1 June 2025 to
31 March 2026 because children’s home care includes provision
of personal care, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated
activity, and the provider is not CQC registered.
 
3. 
Notes that packages of care currently with Contact
Professionals for an estimated value of £297,000 over 10
months will either be distributed across the remaining providers or
will transition into direct payments.