Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 2, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 14.1 The Assistant Director for Commissioning and Partnerships introduced the report which recommended commissioning a 1-year contract with a value of up to £265,000 for the supply of autism outreach services from an external specialist provider, so that the Council can ensure service continuity and support its statutory responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, and Equality Act 2010.     14.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:-   a)    Approve the commissioning of a 1-year autism outreach contract up to a value of £265,000, to an external specialist provider, continuing an existing commission.     14.3 Reasons for Decision     14.3.1 The decision will help ensure that the Council will continue to have an autism outreach contract in place for the forthcoming academic year (2025/26). This will support the Autism Social Communication Education and Training Service and assist with improved outcomes for autistic children and young people and their families across Sheffield.     14.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     14.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Council self-delivers autism outreach   The Council delivers its own autism outreach service from the existing ASCETS staff team. It is not a viable option for the Council to deliver autism outreach because it does not have the capacity to meet demand or continue with current levels of delivery. This option would effectively mean not continuing with a level of service that has a positive impact for children and young people within Sheffield.     14.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Do nothing / do not recommission   Allowing the current contract to cease naturally and not undertaking a recommission of the service. This is not a viable option as it would cause a considerable gap in the support provided for children and young people with autism needs in mainstream schools, which is an area of significant need. This option would increase the risk of children and young people’s needs not being met within their mainstream environment, leading to mainstream placement breakdown and causing even more demand and reliance on specialist placements. This option would reduce the positive impacts and opportunities provided for children and young people through this service, whilst being an extremely costly option for the Council and not value for money