Purpose

Approval of an exemption from Contract Standing Orders to enable the direct award of a contract to Vivid Resourcing for the provision of a temporary Housing Options Triage Officer.

Reasons for the decision

The Homelessness Service requires temporary capacity to support operational service delivery.

Candidates provided through the existing agency framework were interviewed but were not considered suitable for the role.

The service has identified a specific candidate who is available and suitable to undertake the assignment. The proposed appointment is through Vivid Resourcing, which is not a framework supplier.

The exemption will allow the Council to secure the required temporary resource without delay and maintain service delivery within the Homelessness Service.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Approve the exemption and direct award to Vivid Resourcing
This option enables the service to secure the identified candidate and maintain operational capacity within the Housing Options service. This is the recommended option.

Option 2 - Undertake a competitive quotation process
This option would delay the appointment and may not result in the Council being able to secure the identified candidate. Framework agencies have already been approached, and suitable candidates were not identified.