The Cabinet Member Signing approved a new contract for Deaf Outreach Services with the London Borough of Enfield. This contract, valued at £376,000 annually, will run for an initial two years with options to extend for a further two years, potentially reaching a total value of £1,504,000.

Deaf Outreach Services Contract

Councillor Georgia Twigg, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, approved entering into a contract with the London Borough of Enfield to provide Deaf Outreach Services to schools in Enfield. This decision follows a competitive procurement process conducted by Enfield Council, in which Haringey Council was successful in securing the contract. The agreement will run for an initial period of two years, commencing on 1st September 2026 and expiring on 31st August 2028. There is an option to extend the contract for up to two additional years, making the maximum total term four years. The annual contract value is £376,000, with an estimated maximum total contract value of £1,504,000 over the full four-year term, excluding VAT and any agreed indexations.

The decision was made because Haringey Council and Enfield Council have a long-standing close working relationship in supporting deaf and hearing-impaired children. The report highlighted that choosing not to enter into a new contract would have significant negative consequences, including potential staffing implications such as redundancies and the loss of specialist expertise for Haringey Council. It would also disrupt service provision for deaf children and young people in Enfield and could damage Haringey Council's reputation and its relationship with a neighbouring borough.

Haringey Council has been providing these services to Enfield Council for over 20 years. The contract enables Haringey Council to deliver a unified service across both boroughs, allowing the Haringey Sensory Support Team to work more flexibly and efficiently. This increased capacity helps the team develop specialisms, making it more attractive to potential candidates in a field facing a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers of the deaf. The contract is a key decision and is aligned with the Corporate Delivery Plan's objectives for children and young people, aiming for a best start in life, happy childhoods, and successful futures. The report also noted that practices will be adopted to reduce climate impacts, such as encouraging staff to use sustainable transport methods for travel between the boroughs.

The statutory powers for Haringey Council to enter into this agreement are provided by Sections 1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970. The contract's value requires approval under Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01(c) and is classified as a Key Decision. The contract is also subject to the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, with Enfield Council having managed the procurement process. The decision was also considered in light of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under the Equality Act 2010, with the provision of these services expected to lead to better outcomes for deaf children and help mitigate inequalities by providing more opportunities for networking within the deaf community.