Purpose

We have a statutory duty under Section 20 of
the Children Act 1989 to accommodate young people deemed to be a
Child in Need under section 17(10) of the Children Act, if they
have no one to take parental responsibility for them and they
believe their welfare would otherwise be "likely to be seriously
prejudiced". One way we discharge this duty is through arranging
placements via our 16+ High support DPS.
In January 2017 Cabinet gave approval to procure and enter
contracts for the ‘External Supported Accommodation
‘dynamic purchasing system’ (DPS), and Delegated
authority to the Executive Director of People to invoke any
variations or extensions.
Since 2017, commissioning activity through the DPS has taken place
including: Appointing 32 providers through 10 procurement rounds,
and running several mini competitions for Shared Accommodation for
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)
The framework is due to expire at the end of September 2024. From
this point we have agreed to join the South Gloucestershire led
regional framework, and will be going to the new Committee system
in the summer for permission to purchase from it. A short term
extension is being sought in case of any delays in navigating the
new system, or in our providers joining the new framework.
Implementing an extension will prevent us from breaching in case
any delays materialise.

Content

To extend the 16+ High Support Accommodation
DPS, and the block contracts that sit underneath, for six months at
a maximum value of £2.4m from 1st October 2024- 31st March
2025 September 2024.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing – this was rejected, doing
nothing would mean that we are at risk of breaching the procurement
and being unable to pay providers should there be any delays to the
new contract.