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RESOLVED: That
Cabinet;
a)   
Accepted the additional funding and commissioning
responsibilities for St Andrew’s Healthcare forensic
services.
b)   
Approved the award of a contract to St Andrews
Healthcare for the provision of education and training for young
people up the age of 18 detained in the unit.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:

West Northants
currently sits outside of the national arrangements in place for
all similar provision whereby contract responsibilities for
Forensic Services sit with the host local authority.  The ESFA have asked the Council to take on
commissioning responsibilities and funding management so that we
are in line with the model adopted by the ESFA and other local
authorities. 
Initial discussions
with St Andrews suggest that they are willing to provide specialist
mental health support (training and advice) to other schools so
that the broad education offer and support to children and young
people’s mental health is improved within West
Northants.

 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
a)   
To take on the arrangements as proposed by the
ESFA.  This is preferred option as it
will give the council the ability to control the quality of
provision and will maintain our relationship with the
ESFA.
b)   
To decline to take on the additional funding and
commissioning responsibilities for St Andrew’s Healthcare
forensic services.  This is not the
recommended option as it will mean the council has no control over
the provision at the unit, and less ability to ensure that there is
adequate provision for our children and young people.