Decision

The Director of Children, Families and
education has decided to award a contract for a period of 6 months
with effect from 16/10/2025 with the option for a 1-year extension
subject to further grant funding from the LCR CA to Merseyside
Youth Association to deliver two strands the Wirral Youth Guarantee
Trailblazer including employment support for NEET 18- to
21-year-olds and a similar care leavers only provision at a total
contract value of £220,799.50.

Reasons for the decision

The trailblazer gives the local authorities in
the LCR the chance to address the employment, education and / or
training (NEET) crisis. Current NEET rates for Wirral 16- to
18-year-olds is 4.6% or 362 young people. This percentage is rising
year on year since 2020. The Council recognises that reducing NEET
is critical for a healthy and productive society and that the
impact on young people of being not in NEET can be long-lasting,
affecting wellbeing, quality of life, future employment and
economic prospects.
Following a competitive tendering process the winning provider
based on value for money and quality was Merseyside Youth
Association. Detailed service specifications were created as part
of the tendering exercise.

Alternative options considered

Internal delivery discounted due to lack of
capacity, the target age group to be supported and required skills
/ experience.