Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a report seeking agreement to award a contract for up to seven locally based children’s homes beds for the period to 31 March 2017, with an option to extend for a further year, if required.

The report indicated that decision would be based on an analysis of the current placement provider market and local need and would enable Plymouth children and young people in care to be placed in or closer to the city with care provided by a reputable children’s home provider, maintaining their support networks and reducing the cost of their care.

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

Liz Cahill (Strategic Commissioning Manager) and Emma Crowther (Commissioning Officer) attended the meeting for this item.  Cabinet Members were advised that the Council were currently working successfully with the provider and that although a tender process had not been undertaken to provide this urgent provision, the contract would be reviewed as part of the Peninsula tender process prior to expiry of the contracts in March 2017 and that a business case would be submitted during Spring 2016.

Councillor Philippa Davey as a corporate parent, thanked all those concerned for this much needed provision which would benefit both the children and their families.    

Councillor Evans (Leader) referred to further information relating to the need for the additional placements and the provider market and performance which for reasons relating to individuals and commercial confidentiality were contained in a separate private report (referred to in minute 43 below).

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed that a contract is awarded for up to seven locally based children’s homes beds to The Cambian Group, consisting of two existing solo homes, three new solo provisions which are to be created, plus the option to block purchase placements at an existing two-bedded provision for the period to 31 March 2017, with an option to extend for a further year, if required at an estimated cost of approximately £1,260,000 per year.