Decision details

To seek approval from the Director for Health and Adult Services to run a competitive grants process in order to engage providers from the Voluntary and Community Sector to participate in this enhanced prevention ‘test and learn’ pilot as part of prevention plus.

Approval has been given to run a competitive grants process in order to engage providers from the Voluntary and Community Sector to participate in an enhanced prevention ‘test and learn’ pilot as part of prevention plus and to work with the Universities of Hull and Sheffield for the evaluation of the pilot.

Prevention Plus creates a local, community-led system where people receive early, coordinated support through trusted VCSE organisations, council services and health providers working together. Helping residents stay independent, improving the persons experience of life and reducing pressure on statutory services.

North Yorkshire’s Councils approach to Prevention Plus sits within a wider system-level ambition to move from reactive to proactive models of preventative care and support. This is reflected in major national and local drivers, including the direction set out by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Local Government Association.

An open approach ensures transparency, fairness and supports innovation. It represents a proportionate and value-for-money approach, avoiding unnecessary restriction while maintaining clear outcome-focused criteria, and best supports system-wide transformation in place by building relationships, galvanising existing community assets, strengthening preventative approaches and reducing long-term demand on statutory services.

It is proposed that this test and learn pilot is independently evaluated. Through the Council’s Health Determinants Research Collaborative, some work has already been undertaken with the Universities of Hull (a co-applicant to HDRC) and Sheffield regarding identifying methodologies for measuring strengths-based community led interventions. Research has been undertaken with existing North Yorkshire Community Anchor Organisations which has helped to inform a toolkit for impact measurement.

A range of commissioning approaches were considered: an open procurement, direct awards, and an open competitive grant process.

Delivery of an open procurement process - Following a discussion and analysis of this option with legal services and procurement, it was agreed that a service contract would not meet the needs of the service due to the relational, community-led nature of the test-and-learn Prevention Plus model which requires different approaches in different places determined by the needs and community resources available. The model relies on collaboration and building local relationships across a range of agencies, some of whom sitting outside the control of the Council.

Direct Grant Awards offer greater control over delivery partners and reflect the role of established system partners; however, it limits access to funding opportunities and requires a strong justification to demonstrate why only certain organisations are eligible.