Decision details

The Cabinet Member authorised the award of contract to Barnardos Services Ltd for the delivery of children’s centre services, due to commence on 18 January 2021. This contract will be for a period of 5 years, with an optional 2 year extension followed by 3 further extension periods of 12 months.

The contract price shall be £6,691,590, for the five year contract period from 18 January 2021 to 17 January 2026. 

The delivery of Children Centres is underpinned in legislation. The Childcare Act 2006 imposes duties on local authorities to improve the well-being of young children in their area and reduce inequalities.  Local Authorities must make arrangements to secure early childhood services that are provided in an integrated way in order to improve access and maximize the benefits of those services to young children and their parents. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 included new provisions into the Childcare Act 2006 so that the Act now defines Sure Start Children’s Centres in law. It places duties on local authorities in relation to establishing and running Children’s Centres. The award of contract will ensure that the Local Authorities are meeting the statutory function in relation to the provision of the Children’s Centre services.

The tender process was compliant with procurement legislation, and the service was procured in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The contract to be awarded is recommended as it represents good value for money and provides services that meets the quality standards.

Bringing the service in-house - This option was rejected as the cost of the funding model of the services would not transition effectively or efficiently into an in house delivery. In addition, the Local Authority does not have the infrastructure in house to manage the services effectively.

Not to provide a service – This is not appropriate as Local Authorities are required to secure Children’s Centres services. As previously detailed, the Childcare Act 2006 imposes duties on local authorities to improve the well-being of young children in their area and reduce inequalities between them. It also requires Local Authorities to make arrangements to secure early childhood services which are provided in an integrated way in order to improve access and maximize the benefits of those services to young children and their parents. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 goes further. It includes new provisions into the Childcare Act 2006 so that the Act now defines Sure Start Children’s Centres in law. It places a duty on Local Authorities in relation to establishing and running Children’s Centres.

None.

Children’s Centre Statutory Guidance, April 2013