Bracknell Forest Council
Record of Decision
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Work Programme Reference
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I101122 |
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1. |
TITLE: |
Contract Extension Approval for Speech and Language Therapy Service
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2. |
SERVICE AREA: |
People
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3. |
PURPOSE OF DECISION
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To seek approval to exercise the 1+1 year contract extension permitted within the current contract conditions for Children and Young People’s Speech and Language Therapy Services.
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IS KEY DECISION |
Yes
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5. |
DECISION MADE BY: |
Executive Member for Children, Young People & Learning
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6. |
DECISION:
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The Executive Member for Children, Young People & Learning to agrees to exercise a 1+1 year contract extension effective from 3rd September 2021 to 2nd September 2023 with a total extension value of £460,000 which represents £230,000 per annum. The total spend for this contract is £1,150,000 (includes 1+1 year extension).
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7. |
REASON FOR DECISION
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1. The continuation of Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) Services is required to meet the needs of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs in line with the following Statutory Duties.
2. BHFT contribute to the 20-week Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) Process by completing Statutory Assessments during weeks 6 -12 of the 20 week timeframe. The local authority has a duty to make sure that an EHC plan is prepared and then implemented which includes input from Health. 81% of Statutory Assessments undertaken by BHFT within the last 2 years that have been within the 6-week timeframe.
3. Bracknell Forest Council Early Years and SEN wish to maintain stability, continuity and agree that the 1+1 year extension period is their preferred route.
4. An extension will allow time to complete a Service Review, undertake further activity modelling and build on the learning from the Integrated Therapies Project to explore the development of a hybrid approach/model for Children and Young People’s Integrated Therapy (CYPIT) at East Berkshire and Place (Bracknell Forest) in partnership with the East Berkshire CCG and BHFT.
5. The next year will be utilised as a mobilisation/transition year to allow any improvements or service developments identified during the Service Review to be embedded.
6. The current service is well established and operates effectively across many levels and there are no concerns about the quality of the service. Productive contract monitoring arrangements are in place between the council and provider.
7. There are national concerns around increasing demand for SALT following the pandemic. To avoid issues developing around waiting times, a move to a blended service model will support effective service delivery. Clarifications will be included as part of the contract extension around an ongoing blended delivery model for the remainder of the contract term. COVID-19 has highlighted the critical need for Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (BHFT) to explore and deliver different service options including telephone and online consultations in addition to face to face contacts.
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8. |
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
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Retendering – a minimum of 9 months would be required to undertake a full procurement exercise with a potential 3-6 month period to transition from the existing provider to a new provider and mobilise new services. 4.2 Not triggering permitted extension – there would not be a service to meet our duties including completing Statutory Assessments in line with the 20-week EHCP Process, significantly impacting the outcomes of Bracknell Forest Children and Young People
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9. |
DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: |
Report of the Executive Director: People
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10. |
DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: |
none
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Date Decision Made |
Final Day of Call-in Period |
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4 August 2021 |
12 August 2021 |
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