Purpose

The Council continues to experience
significant demand pressures including the level of demand for
support but also the complexity of need which requires support.
These demand pressures increase the financial
challenge that the Council faces especially in relation to external
residential costs which have risen considerably. In response to
these continuing challenges the Council continues to consider ways
to deliver improved outcomes for children and young people whilst
also seeking to minimise costs to the Local Authority (and
partners).
One element of this work has been the
exploration of potential ways that the Council could work with
organisations and agencies that share the Council’s values
and has experience in delivering a range of services (ranging from
fostering and wrap around support through to supported
accommodation and external residential). This activity has
considered soft market testing to test the available market. That
activity has indicated that there are operators who may be
interested in exploring a new arrangement with LCC beyond the
traditional commissioner/provider relationship.
This decision notice seeks key decision
approval to that work progressing through formal procurement
processes. There is no assured position of entering into new
arrangements and that will be tested through the procurement
exercise.

Content

Please see attached report.