Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby approve:   ·     going out to tender/ competition to commission a Connecting Care Leavers Service.   The Reasons are: A Connecting Care Leavers service contributes to addressing mental health needs, poorer outcomes and inequalities experienced by care leavers.   The commissioning of a Connecting Care Leavers Service would reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for vulnerable care leavers.   Options considered and rejected were: ·     Not commissioning a service. ·     Commissioning a service at a reduced value.   Assessment of Risk: If a Connecting Care Leavers programme is not commissioned, the key risk would be reduced support and less favourable outcomes for Salford Care Leavers.   The continuation of commissioning a Connecting Care Leavers Service would reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for vulnerable care leavers. Not commissioning this service would place additional pressures on Salford City Council’s Next Steps leaving care service and on commissioned mental health services (both children’s and adults) and other services in Salford, including increased presentations via A&E and increased demand for All Age Mental Health Liaison Service assessments.   There is also high-risk that statutory obligations to address care leavers’ mental health needs would not be met.   The source of funding is: Council and NHS.   Legal Advice obtained: Tony Hatton 219 6323 When commissioning contracts for the procurement of goods, services, or the execution of works the City Council as a ‘contracting authority’ must comply with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 as well as the provisions of its own Contractual Standing Orders (CSO’s), Financial Regulations and the duties of Best and Social value. In addition, the Regulations require that contracting authorities treat candidates equally and in a non-discriminatory way and act in a transparent manner, failing which the award of a contract may be subject to legal challenge. The report sets out that subject to funding being approved the Council proposes to undertake a procurement process for this service which will provide the tailored and intensive support needed as a key part of the statutory Pathway Plan to adulthood required under The Children Act 1989, revised 2022, to be compliant with the requirements of CSO’s and public procurement legislation. Undertaking the tender exercise in the recommendation will give some comfort to the Council in ensuring that value for money is being obtained and periodically tested, with open competition maintained. The carrying out of this procurement exercise will ensure that the risk of challenge to the award of the contract to the selected contractor is minimal and that any challenge, should it materialise, is unlikely to be successful. Whilst the term of the existing contract is fixed, the report notes that in line with the Salford Compact which recommends a 6 month notice period be given to providers connected to CVS services.   Financial Advice obtained: Ian Johnson 0161 778 0220 The additional Council contribution of £44,956 has been identified from Core funding which has been vired from available budget within Children’s in-year. To ensure ongoing financial commitment from the Council to the Connecting Care Leavers Service of £64,956 per annum, this will be factored into the Children’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) as part of the ongoing budget planning process and be subject to the final funding decision by Council as part of the annual budget-setting process.  The total annual funding for the service, which also includes a contribution from the NHS, totals £124,956. To note the funding contribution from the Council has increased from 25% to 52% since the service last went out to tender.   This approach ensures that the Council’s financial commitment is planned for and sustainable, pending Council approval. Should the funding be approved, sufficient budget will be available to deliver the Connecting Care Leavers Service as outlined in this report.   Procurement Advice obtained: Tom Pyne 0161 686 6245 Procurement’s views align with those outlined by Legal above. Procurement are supporting the process from initial pre-market engagement through to and including the appropriate procurement route.   HR Advice obtained: N/A.   Climate Change Implications obtained: Michael Hemingway 0161 793 3209 The impacts of this service are quite limited. They keep services local which keeps emissions low. The current provider also encourages active travel through cycling and running.   The service is good for the city and for care leavers as it creates a support network and helps mainstream equalities.   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: ·     the relevant documents contain exempt or confidential information and are not available for public inspection.   Contact Officer: Catarina Lima Telephone number: 0161 603 4255   ·     This matter is also subject to consideration by the Lead Member for   Children’s and Young People’s Services. The Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract.         Signed:     Cllr J Youd        Dated:   10 November 2025.                Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY:   *         This decision was published on 11 November 2025 *         This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 18 November 2025 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.