Decision details

A decision is being sought to request approval for an exemption under Rule 21 of the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to waive the requirement under Rule 4 of the CPRs to obtain 3 quotes. Subject to approval of the exemption, authority is then needed for the required budget and for a direct contract award to the Kingfisher Learning Trust to deliver training, support and coaching for the Better Communication Team.

RESOLVED - That:
1. This report seeks firstly seeks an approval under Rule 21 of the CPRs for an exemption to the requirement under Rule 4 to obtain 3 quotes for the required specialist coaching and training to improve outcomes for children in Oldham in speech, language and communication (“Services”). Subject to the approval of the exemption, approval is then needed for the budget and for from the Contract Procedure Rules to enable a direct contract award to be made to the Kingfisher Learning Trust for their specialist expertise to support the Better Communication Team in Oldham by providing the Services specialist coaching and training to improve outcomes for children in Oldham in speech, language and communication at a cost for 1 year.

Option 1 - Approval for an exemption from Rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules and for the required budget and for a direct contract award to be made to the Kingfisher Learning Trust for the Services.

Option 2 - To go out to the North West Portal.
Officers are not aware of any additional providers of the required service.
This option poses a risk to the council as the specialist expertise is specific and delaying the process with implications on timeframes and establishing strong relationships, causing delay to the needs of Oldham children’s speech and language when there are already long waiting lists with the core speech and language service

Option 3 - Not to provide specialist support within the Better Communication Team. This poses a risk to the Council places pressure on an already stretched service with implications on Oldham children having increased delay in seeking support for their speech and language needs.

Option 2 - To go out to the North West Portal.
Officers are not aware of any additional providers of the required service.
This option poses a risk to the council as the specialist expertise is specific and delaying the process with implications on timeframes and establishing strong relationships, causing delay to the needs of Oldham children’s speech and language when there are already long waiting lists with the core speech and language service

Option 3 - Not to provide specialist support within the Better Communication Team. This poses a risk to the Council places pressure on an already stretched service with implications on Oldham children having increased delay in seeking support for their speech and language needs.

The Kingfisher Learning Trust is unique in having a member of the team from Oldham who completed the DfE Early Years Professional Development Tutor Champion qualification, the only other person to gain this qualification has now retired. The other key element is that they are one of a limited number of trained trainers within the region for Making it REAL, which is a key programme as part of the Family Hubs strategy to improve outcomes for young children by supporting the Home Learning Environment, along with delivery through early years in schools and settings. Other local authorities have come to Oldham for support for training and delivery of the Making it REAL programme. They also have a Sign Along Tutor, which is integral to the coaching and support as part of the Better Communication Team.

The Kingfisher Learning Trust also has in depth knowledge of the education system in Oldham and existing relationships with the early years sector, which is critical in enabling them to work at pace with the high levels of speech and language needs in Oldham and increased pressures on the core Speech and language service with lengthy waiting lists. They have provided training, coaching and support since 2018, so is key in continuity of service, with the decrease in capacity through the Better Communication Team through the development of the ELSEC team, it is key that additional capacity is provided through extending the support from Kingfisher by an additional day. This is also key as the remit has increased to provide coaching, training and support to the newly restructured Integrated Child and Family Support Service and Family Hubs delivery.