Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet:
1) Accepts the tender from Reed Specialist Recruitment Limited for the provision of Lot 1 Deprivation of Liberties Services to the London Borough of Hillingdon at a total cost of £3,330k over a five-year period from 1st April 2026 and with the option to extend for a further one year at a minimum cost of £666k. Furthermore, agrees that this option to extend be delegated to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health, in consultation with the relevant portfolio Cabinet Member.
2) Accepts the tender from The Advocacy People for the provision of Lot 2 Integrated Statutory Advocacy Services to the London Borough of Hillingdon at a total cost of £1,441k over a five-year period from 1st April 2026 and with the option to extend for a further one year at a minimum cost of £288,254.81. Furthermore, agrees that this option to extend be delegated to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health, in consultation with the relevant portfolio Cabinet Member.
3) Notes the hybrid approach to Best Interest Assessments through a combination of an external provider and internal Best Interest Assessors.
Reasons for decision
The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care introduced a report and recommendations, which Cabinet agreed, to award two contracts following a tendering exercise, the first being for the provision of Deprivation of Liberties Services providing Independent Best Interests Assessors and Section 12-approved doctor assessments to help meet the Council’s legal duties, and the second relating to advocacy support so individuals have their voices heard, rights respected, and needs met especially when navigating complex health and social care systems.
Alternative options considered and rejected
Options rejected for relevant business and financial reasons were an in-house team, using multiple providers for such services or a separate provider for out-of-borough and mental health advocacy services.
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Relevant Select Committee |
Health & Social Care |
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in) |
Cabinet’s decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the select committee by 5pm, Monday 5 January 2026. If not called-in by then, Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented. |
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Officer(s) to action |
Sarah Baker / Graham Puckering |
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Directorate |
Adult Social Care & Health |
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Classification |
Private - Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). |
Publication date: 24/12/2025
Date of decision: 23/12/2025
Decided at meeting: 23/12/2025 - CABINET
Effective from: 06/01/2026