The Hackney Procurement Board met on Tuesday 8 October 2024 to approve several key contract awards and procurement strategies. Decisions included the approval of contracts for family time services for looked-after children, a young parents supported accommodation pathway, and speech and language therapy services. The board also approved the procurement of apprenticeship training frameworks and the award of contracts for employer's agent and quantity surveyor services for new homes developments.

Provision of Family Time Services for Looked After Children

The Board approved the procurement of a Family Time Services for Looked After Children contract, with a maximum period of five years and a budget of up to £3.44m. They also approved the variation of the existing contract to appoint a new provider due to the original provider entering administration, at a cost of £1.97m to ensure service continuity. This service is crucial for ensuring looked-after children can maintain contact with their families, a statutory duty under the Children's Act 1989. The decision supports the Mayoral Priority of working together for every child in Hackney.

Young Parents Supported Accommodation Pathway

A contract for the Young Parents Supported Accommodation Pathway was approved for procurement, with a maximum period of five years and a budget of £1.71m, commencing from 1st April 2025. Additionally, the current contract was extended for 19 months, from 1st September 2023 to 31st March 2025, at a cost of £557,326, to ensure service continuity while the new procurement is completed. This pathway provides tailored accommodation and support for care leavers aged 16-21 who are also young parents, aiding their transition to adulthood and supporting their families. The decision aligns with the Council's commitment to providing suitable accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers under the Children (Leaving Care) Act and the Homelessness Act 2002.

Procurement of Employer's Agent, Quantity Surveyor, Clerk of Works, and Associated Multidisciplinary Services for Kings Crescent Estate and Marian Court New Homes Development

The Board approved the award of contracts for Employer’s Agent (EA), Quantity Surveyor (QS), Clerk of Works (CoW), and Principal Designer-CDM services to Potter Raper Ltd (PRL). The contract for Kings Crescent Estate (Phase 3 & 4) is valued at £1,088,851, and for Marian Court (Phase 3 & 4) at £788,210. These services are essential for the ongoing new homes development projects. The decision to directly award to PRL through the ProcurePublic Framework was made to ensure continuity and leverage their existing knowledge of the projects, thereby de-risking the construction phase and potentially shortening the main construction works period. This approach supports the Council's Estate Regeneration Programme and its commitment to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes and improving living standards.

Apprenticeship Framework Extension Business Case

The Board approved the procurement of apprenticeship training through the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) Framework Agreement - 1086 for two years from November 2024, and the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Apprenticeship Training Dynamic Marketplace DPS - RM6102 until its expiry on 29 April 2025. Approval was also granted to use the forthcoming CCS Training Marketplace Framework (RM6303) as a replacement for RM6102 from 30 April 2025. The decision allows for the use of alternative frameworks administered by other London-based Local Authorities or the NHS on a case-by-case basis to meet specific apprenticeship standards and to save time and resources. In situations where neither of these options is feasible, flexibility is provided to use the Council's corporate Contract Standing Orders. This multi-framework approach aims to enhance training quality, improve completion rates, and maximise the use of apprenticeship levy funds, aligning with Hackney's goals for inclusive growth and employment opportunities.

Public Health Midwives Service

A contract award to the Homerton Healthcare Foundation Trust (HHFT) for a Public Health Midwives Service was approved for a period of one year from 1st April 2024, at a cost of £170,000 per annum. The contract includes an option to extend for a further two years in annual increments of £170,000, under the Public Health Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C. This service provides essential community-based support to women during pregnancy and the early postnatal period, aligning with national initiatives to improve maternal and infant health and reduce health inequalities. The decision regularises an existing service that has been operating under an implied contract since April 2020.

Speech and Language Therapy Services

The Board approved the award of the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service contract to Homerton Healthcare Foundation Trust (HHFT) from 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2025, for the sum of £1,478,161, using Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. This contract consolidates existing SaLT services previously commissioned separately by various departments within Children and Education, aiming to improve service efficiency and standardise reporting. The decision supports the Council's statutory responsibility under the Children and Families Act 2014 to meet the needs outlined in Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans, and contributes to the Mayoral Priority of giving every child the best start in life. A review of the total SaLT service commissioned across the Council and the North East London ICB will be undertaken during the contract period to identify future commissioning arrangements.