Purpose

This report requests a decision to extend the Camden and Islington Integrated Independent Advocacy Service contract with Rethink Mental Illness for a further 36-month period (as set out in the contract) from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029, at an estimated value of £500,000 per annum (£1.5m in aggregate).

Advocacy is a statutory safeguard that enables people to understand their rights, have their voices heard, and participate in decisions about their health, care and lives. By supporting lawful, person-centred decision-making, advocacy protects individual rights and helps achieve better, more sustainable outcomes for both residents and public services.

This report is coming to the Executive Director as Contract Standing Orders state that extensions must be granted at the same level the award of contract was decided. In this case that is Executive Director.

Decision

THAT the extension of the Integrated Advocacy Service contract for a period of 36 months for the estimated sum of £478,683 per annum (£1.436m in aggregate) be approved.