Agenda item

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Children’s Services, which invites the Executive to consider recommendations for the re-commissioning of the Best Start Lincolnshire Services from 1 April 2023)

1.    That the re-commissioning of the Best Start Lincolnshire Services: Early Years and Family Service and Inclusion Service, via an open competitive tender process with two lots, to commence 1 April 2023 for three years initially, with an option to extend for up to two years for 31 March 2028, be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement, to take all decisions necessary to conduct the procurement process up to and including the award and entering into of the contract.

The Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement introduced the report and advised that the Best Start Lincolnshire service performed very well and there was now a need to re-procure the contract.

The Head of Service – Children’s Strategic Commissioning presented the report which set out that Lincolnshire County Council’s Children’s Services currently commissioned the Best Start Lincolnshire Services: Early Years and Family Service and Inclusion Service via two separate contracts which commenced in July 2017 and were extended to 31 March 2023.  It was reported that these services were procured through a single open competitive tender process with two lots.  The combined annual value of the current contracts was £1,936,712.

The Best Start Lincolnshire Services provide support for children aged 0 to 5 years and their families and were primarily delivered in Lincolnshire’s 48 children’s centres.  A commissioning review commenced in August 2020 in anticipation of the contract end date. 

The Chairman of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee presented the comments of the Committee following the consideration of this item at its meeting on 17 June 2022.  It was reported that the Committee unanimously agreed to support the recommendations, however, some of the key points raised during discussion included reference to the market engagement undertaken; that within the tender a maximum contract price was to be included; the feasibility of bringing the service in-house; the need for improved promotion of children’s centres; the effect of the pandemic on young children’s development in communication and language skills and social skills; and the availability of progress data for young children starting school.

During discussion by the Executive, the following was noted:

·       The important role of children’s centres for children and families.  It was also noted that they were very useful for promoting cohesion.  It was queried whether there was more that could be done to promote them, and one member commented that they would like to see the outreach work that had been done continue.

·       It was queried whether more could be done to set aspirations in the contract process.

·       It was agreed that this was a very important service.

·       It was queried whether the contract encouraged innovation within the service, and what could be done to reach those families that needed the service the most but may not be engaging with the service.

·       It was highlighted that it was important that this service sat within children’s centres.  It was also noted that there were a number of other services that were delivered through children’s centres and within communities.

·       It was reported that there were some very clear KPI’s for the provider.

·       In terms of targets and ambitions, it was reported that 95% of children born in Lincolnshire were registered with a children’s centre, and of that number over 50% would then come through the door.  An important factor was also establishing consistent attendance, and the new contract would have a specific target around encouraging consistent attendance. 

·       Officers also advised, that in terms of the current specification for the contract, this had been very prescriptive about what needed to be included, but that the new specification would allow more space for innovation, and this was something which would be encouraged.  Officers also wanted to include that there was flexibility in where services could be delivered from, for example, community buildings or outdoor venues.

RESOLVED

1.    That the re-commissioning of the Best Start Lincolnshire Services: Early Years and Family Service and Inclusion Service, via an open competitive tender process with two lots, to commence 1 April 2023 for three years initially, with an option to extend for up to two years for 31 March 2028, be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement, to take all decisions necessary to conduct the procurement process up to and including the award and entering into of the contract.