Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet agree to extend current arrangements for Staying Close and Supported Accommodation services while planning re-commissioning options in the next 12 months, as follows:

a)    For Staying Close, agree an extension of services to:

i)             Emlea Property Services for support services from 1st April 2025 until 30th September 2025 at the cost of £0.261m, with the optional extension until 31st December 2025 at an additional cost of £0.131m.

ii)            Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) for the “Staying Close” project expansion to support 18 to 21 year olds to provide psychological emotional and therapeutic support to care-experienced young people for the months of August and September 2025 (£0.011m) with an optional extension option until 31^st December 2025 (£0.017m).

iii)          Further, note that the cost of the extensions are fully covered by existing ringfenced grant and that the project team in place to deliver this is also paid 100% from the existing grant and;

iv)          Authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to agree any optional contract extensions set out, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

b)   For Block Supported Accommodation (formerly called Semi Independent Living) agree contract extensions for 12 months for continued support services to:

                     i)        YMCA St Paul’s Group (YMCA) for the provision for Young People’s Semi-Independent Living support services from 1^st April 2025 until 31^st March 2026 at the value of £0.482m, which includes the support services and forecasts the rents.

                    ii)        People Potential Possibilities (P3) for provision for Young People’s Semi-Independent Living support services from 1^st April 2025 until 31^st March 2026 at the value of £1.200m, which includes the support services and forecasts the rents.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education introduced a report and recommendations, which Cabinet agreed, to extend the current arrangements for supported housing and wrap-around provision for Hillingdon’s young people to ensure continuity of services, support, and compliance with statutory requirements. The Cabinet Member also noted that there was an Ofsted requirement for such accommodation to be regulated.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Alternative options were considered by Cabinet as set out in the report, noting that discontinuing such services would have negative service, statutory and financial consequences.