Purpose

This report seeks approval of the variation to the contract for health visiting services (section 75 agreement) with Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust to include the Best Start Family Service - infant feeding support service.

The Best Start Family Service - infant feeding support service aims to increase breastfeeding rates (including initiation rates and sustained breastfeeding rates) in Camden. The DHSC Best Start funding enables Camden Baby Feeding Team (CBFT), part of the health visiting service, to strengthen delivery of antenatal and postnatal support, ensuring all families have access to information and the support offer, especially those least likely to breastfeed and who experience barriers to accessing services.

The Best Start Family Hub funding will enhance the Camden Baby Feeding Team offer, ensuring all families benefit from the infant feeding support, including Global Majority families and families who experience barriers to access.

CBFT will provide a Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, train and supervise parent volunteers. Volunteers will be recruited locally, from Camden’s diverse communities.

Additional infant feeding supporters will increase the team’s capacity to provide support on the postnatal wards, increase the number of home visits and facilitate baby feeding groups in community venues and online. Camden Baby Feeding Team will oversee take up of the Anya App, which provides digital support for infant feeding, including out of hours, and manage the breast pump loan scheme, providing high quality and safe equipment to mothers.

This report is therefore seeking approval of a contract variation for a period of 33 months, from 1st July 2026 until 31st March 2029 for a total cost of £576,950.

In accordance with Contract Standing Order E2.1 the Executive Director Children and Learning can authorise the extension and variation. However it requires a waiver for them to be implemented as required under CSO E2.2 and approved in line with F3.

Decision

THAT the variation of the contract with Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust for a period of 33 months from 1st July 2026 to 31st March 2029 for the sum of £576,950 be approved.