Issue - meetings

Background:

This report requested the Cabinet’s agreement to commence the procurement of the Family Time (Contact Service) for children in care and their families. The service wouldprovide a flexible model of service delivery across Medway, making use of locally available facilities such as Children and Family Hubs and Youth Clubs. The primary venue for family contact would be Sunlight Centre, Gillingham. 

The report recommended an open market procurement for approximately 8,000 hours of direct contact hours (including additional tasks associated with a contact session) as described in the service specification. The proposed contract term was four years (plus a one year extension option).

The report was accompanied by an exempt appendix which set out key information in respect of financial analysis relating to the procurement.

Reasons:

This model is the most financially viable both meeting our statutory obligations and commitments, but also putting children and families at the heart of Medway. It supports the child friendly Medway agenda and contributes a host of wider potential benefits such improved wellbeing, safe contact and potential reunification Building partnerships between the statutory and independent sector through a contract with risk sharing and specialisms will enable the Council to meet its statutory requirements.  There is already a tried and tested model in place and this option allows the Council to test out the market and achieve effective use of its resources and finances.