Decision details

To approve the extension of Lots 1-4 of the Early Intervention Contracts for one year from 1^st April 2026 until 31^st March 2027 at a total cost of £788,900.

Please refer to the report.

Option 1: Extension of contract for all lots of the contract for 1 year. (recommended)

1.     The extension of the Early Intervention contracts is strongly recommended due to consistently high performance and the positive impact on children, young people and families. Extending the contracts will ensure continuity of support for vulnerable families and protect the strong partnerships established within local communities.

2.     The Early intervention contracts have demonstrated sustained reach, strong community engagement and clear positive outcomes for children, young people and families. The combination of universal access, targeted intervention and volunteer led community support has enabled services to respond flexibly to local need while maintaining continuity and impact across all areas.

3.     Let Me Play demonstrate a strong balance between universal provision and more intensive support for those with additional needs. The Safe Families programme has successfully connected families into community support. United Partnership Group have supported a wide range of children and families through community based provision.

4.     Extending the contracts in their current form preserves continuity of service. The current spend of the contracts is £813,900 per annum. The proposed spend for 2026/27 is £788,900, a reduction of £25,000 on the lot 1, LMP contract.

5.     LMP have identified efficiencies in their contract and have agreed a reduction of £25,000 for the extension year. A variation of contract will be signed with LMP.

6.     We have the option to extend for 1 year with the option of a further 1 year. Notice can then be given to end the contract at any time during the extension, the contract termination clause is no less than 3 months notice.

Option 2 : Do not extend the contracts (not recommended)

7.     This option involves allowing the current contract to expire at the end of its term with no extension agreed. Not extending the contract will have implications for early intervention activity and increase demands on statutory and higher cost services if mitigations are not put in place.