Decision details

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Assistant Director Safeguarding and Partnerships which sought an extension to the Early Help Service contract with Positive Steps contract for one year, to March 2020.

The Early Help Service was established in April 2015. Some of the Early Help delivery was in-house, however a significant element of it was delivered through a contract with Positive Steps. The contract was let for three years (to March 2018), with an option to extend for up to a further additional year. This option was exercised and the contract ends on 31st March 2019.

The Council was close to completing a strategic review of the Council and key partners approach to early intervention and prevention. This review would make recommendations about investment in, commissioning and design of preventative services for both adults and children on a place-based footing that may have direct relevance to this contract(s) and how, going forward, the service provided integrated with other preventative activity taking place in communities. An extension of twelve months to the current contract with Positive Steps would allow the implications of these recommendations to be worked through and implemented.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option1 - Extend the existing Positive Steps contract.

Option 2 - Allow the contract to end on March 31st 2019.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially

sensitive information contained at Item 15 of the agenda.