Purpose

The Habilitation Service is for children and
young people with visual impairments and their families. The market
was asked to express interest in providing the service and only one
provider (Guide Dogs For The Blind) responded. Market testing
confirmed that only one provider is able to deliver this service in
the area. Therefore the council decided to directly award this
contract to Guide Dogs For The Blind who meet the required
standards to provide the service.

Content

Approval to enter into a contract with Guide
Dogs For The Blind to deliver the Habilitation Service for children
and young people with visual impairments and their families from
1st April 2024-31st March 2026 (initial contract period) with two
possible 1 year extensions (1st
April 2026-31st March 2027; 1st April 2027-31st March 2028).

Alternative options considered

In house provision was considered but due to
the highly specialised nature of this service it was decided to
continue to contract an external organisation to deliver this
service.