Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 28, 2025

Purpose: To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Adults Social Care and Public Health seeking approval to award two contracts

Content: To authorise the award of the contracts for Children’s Residential Respite and for Residential Respite for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need) including complex and/or more specialist needs to the highest scoring bidder following a procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 as identified in the exempt appendix.

Reasons for the decision: 1.  This report is submitted for consideration as a General Exception under paragraph 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the City Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Panel and the Public. 2.  The Council’s intention to continue to commission residential respite for children and residential respite for adults with LD and complex health needs was referenced in the Adult Learning Disability Residential Respite report approved by Cabinet on 29 April 2025 (paragraphs 10, 19), although it was not sufficiently included in the recommendations to permit a contract to be awarded without Cabinet approval.  Hence the need for this report. The reason for seeking urgency provisions is because the existing contracts were due to end this year with new contracts due to commence on 24 November 2025.  We wish to award the contracts as soon as possible to ensure continuity of provision and avoid prolonging the uncertainty for providers and services users. 

Alternative options considered: None.  Local Authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide services to meet the short break and support needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their families.  The Care Act 2014 imposes statutory duties on Local Authorities when exercising Adult Social Care functions. This includes the duty to promote the individual's wellbeing and that of their carers. In addition the duty to prevent or delay the development of needs is paramount and a key objective of Adult Social Care. The function of short breaks is to facilitate individuals and carers to continue that relationship, in a supported way. In providing respite, Adult Social Care have a mechanism to avoid crisis and reduce more expensive care and support which may not achieve the same positive outcomes for the individual and carer. The outcome of the strategic review of short breaks was that the Council would continue to commission residential respite for children and residential respite for adults with learning disabilities (LD) including complex/more specialist needs from an external provider.  The existing contract for these services is ending and there was therefore a need to reprocure these services.