Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a report on the contract award to provide framework agreements for the provision of foster placements for children in care which were purchased from independent sector fostering agencies and were being commissioned for Plymouth City, Devon County and Torbay Councils. The report detailed the tender and evaluation process undertaken.

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) drew the attention of Cabinet Members to the separate private report, containing commercially sensitive information, referred to in minute 109 below.   

Councillor McDonald (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health) introduced the proposals and indicated that –

Councillor Evans highlighted the method statement on child sexual exploitation and urged everyone to read it to gain an understanding of the harrowing cases that were dealt with by children’s social workers.  He paid tribute to and thanked the social workers for their work.    

Emma Crowther (Commissioning Officer) attended the meeting for this item and reported that she had tried to balance the commercial elements of the agreements with the need to maintain a quality service.

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed that the seven fostering providers listed in the private report (minute 109 refers) are awarded a framework agreement to commence on 1 February 2015.