Contract for the Procurement of Therapeutic service for Children and young people as a result of witnessing or suffering domestic abuse and who are now living in a safe environment

REPORT TO: the Assistant Director Policy, Partnerships and Communities - Neil Irving

DECISION DATE: Thursday 25^TH November 2021.

SUPPORTING ANNEX: Due to the value of this procurement there is no requirement for a gateway exercise therefore no supporting annex has been included with this report.

PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the authority carry out an Invitation to Bid under the Light-Touch Regime for the re-tendering of the provision of Therapeutic Services. The estimated contract value will be in the region of £250,000 over three years.

BACKGROUND TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION

Children and Young People’s Therapeutic Services is currently provided by Foundation UK.  This service is available to children and young people needing therapeutic intervention as a result of witnessing or suffering domestic abuse and who are now living in a safe environment.  Therapies are effective interventions for children and young people with a variety of presenting difficulties caused by domestic abuse.  These include emotional or behavioural difficulties, depression and/or aggression, soiling and/or wetting, fear, anxiety, nightmares, phobias, relationship difficulties with peers and/or siblings, quarrelling or fighting and children not realising their full potential academically or socially.

The current contract is due to expire 01/10/2022 with no options to extend the current agreement therefore a procurement exercise must commence to ensure continuity of service.

LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE

The contract will be procured in line with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Authority carry out an invitation to bid process under the Light-Touch Regime for the re-tendering of the Children and your persons therapeutic Services.