The Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee approved the refurbishment of Baden Powell Primary School to create provision for secondary-age pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and SEMH needs, the procurement of an Integrated Children's Occupational Therapy (ICOT) service, and the procurement of a Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service. The committee also agreed to the insourcing of the Family Group Conference (FGC) service, establishing an in-house Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) Team. Additionally, the committee approved the award of the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) contract for the Colville Heat Network, a key project in the council's climate change strategy.

Baden Powell Primary School Refurbishment

The committee approved the proposal to appoint Contractor C to create provision for 48 new places for secondary-age pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and SEMH needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the former Baden Powell Primary School¹ by July 2027. This refurbishment project aims to address an urgent need for SEND provision in Hackney, where approximately 20% of children and young people have an EHCP or receive Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support, exceeding London and national averages. The number of young people with an EHCP in Hackney has increased by 20% since the SEND strategy was implemented in 2022. The project aligns with the Council's SEND Strategy, Hackney Education Three Year Improvement Plan, and Education Sufficiency & Estate Strategy, all of which prioritise increasing local special provision. Contractor C was selected based on their project experience and their response to the Council's social and sustainability criteria, including commitments to the London Living Wage, apprenticeships, and social value benefits. The project will incorporate sustainable technology, including photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps, and aims to reduce reliance on out-of-borough placements, offering a more cost-effective solution closer to home.

Recommissioning of Integrated Children's Occupational Therapy (ICOT) Service

The committee approved the procurement of an Integrated Children's Occupational Therapy (ICOT) service via a competitive tender process using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for health services. The total value of the core contract will be up to £4,766,122 (including VAT) over a maximum of five years (3+1+1). This decision aims to improve outcomes for children and young people by reducing duplication and fragmentation in current OT provision, which is currently managed under separate contracts by Hackney Council and the North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB). A jointly commissioned service, with Hackney Council acting as the lead commissioner, is expected to streamline processes, enhance service delivery, and ensure better value for money. The new contract will also incorporate the Experts at Hand provision, a key component of the Department for Education's SEND Reform programme, which aims to strengthen the skills and capability of education settings to meet the needs of children with SEND. The PSR was chosen as the appropriate procurement route for health services, and a competitive tender process will be used to ensure the highest quality provider is selected.

Recommissioning of Integrated Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service

A Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service for children will be procured via a competitive tender process using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for health services, with a total contract value of up to £12,269,984 (including VAT) over a maximum of five years (3+1+1). This decision aims to integrate SaLT provision currently commissioned separately by Hackney Council and NEL ICB, improving outcomes for children and young people by reducing duplication and fragmentation. The new contract will align with the principles of the SEND reforms, focusing on early intervention, prevention, and a graduated response to support. It will also incorporate the Experts at Hand provision, strengthening the skills of education and early years settings to support children's communication needs. The procurement will be conducted through a competitive tender process under the PSR, ensuring value for money and high-quality service delivery.

Insourcing of the Family Group Conferencing Service

The committee agreed to the insourcing of the Family Group Conference (FGC) service, establishing an in-house Family Led Decision Making (FLDM) Team within the Family Help Service. This move will allow the Council to meet new requirements under the Family First Partnership Programme and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which mandate offering FLDM meetings to families when a court application for a care or supervision order is being considered. Insourcing is expected to increase family choice, enhance capacity for both independently chaired and Family Help Practitioner-chaired meetings, and improve feedback mechanisms for service enhancement. The current contract with the external provider will end on 30th September 2026, with the insourced service commencing on 1st October 2026. The annual cost for the in-house provision will be £320,346, funded through a combination of repurposed contract budget and the Family First Partnership Programme Grant.

Colville Heat Network - Design, Build, Maintain and Operate (DBOM) - Contract Award

The committee approved the award of the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) contract for the Colville Heat Network to Supplier A for 15 years, with an option for a 10-year extension, subject to finalisation of contractual documents and Cabinet approval of the additional capital budget. The estimated contract value is £34.81 million (including VAT) for the initial 15-year term, with a further estimated £10.2 million (including VAT) for the extension period. This decision marks a significant step in the Council's commitment to tackling the climate emergency by transitioning away from fossil fuel heating systems towards a low-carbon district heat network. The Colville Heat Network is a flagship green infrastructure project that will provide cleaner, more efficient, and lower-carbon heat for over 1,500 homes, two schools, and a leisure centre. The DBOM model ensures specialist expertise for both construction and long-term operation, with contractual commitments linked to energy efficiency, carbon performance, and service reliability. The project aligns with the Council's Climate Action Plan and supports the delivery of new homes and community facilities with a reduced carbon footprint. The contract includes robust social value commitments, such as local job creation, apprenticeships, and paid work placements.