Award of contract for the provision of Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) for Children & Young People in Brent and Out of Borough Schools (PSR - Direct award route C)

Concepts

• health and social work
• wembley
• brent civic centre
• brent children
• young people
• brent
• borough schools
• children
• language therapy
• young

Location

Description

The Council has a contract titled the Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) for Children & Young People in Brent and Out of Borough Schools. It is provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (“CLCH”) who deliver the services under contract. The contract was entered into for a period of 2 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years. The Council exercised the option to extend the contract for a further one year and the contract is due to expire on 31 March 2025. The provision of SaLT is statutory and therefore the provisions of the Contract will help the Council to comply with its statutory duties for needs specified in Section F of a child’s education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Total Quantity or Scope

The contract will deliver: • An equitable and inclusive SaLT service to children and young people aged from 0 to 25 years with an EHCP where SaLT has been identified as a need in Section F within mainstream schools and Additionally Resourced provision (both in and out borough) and, where applicable, young people attend further educational facilities including colleges. • The provision of SaLT to Brent children and young people in out-of borough mainstream schools and FE colleges within a 12 miles radius of Brent Civic Centre. • The contract will deliver SaLT as identified in Section F of EHCPs, review the level therapy provision and contribute to the statutory annual review. Where stated as part of an EHCP, the provider will also deliver training to staff in schools to support implementation of the SaLT programme. • Young people known to the Youth Justice Service will have access to SaLT where that is stated in Section F of their Plan. The Council is intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C. The approximate lifetime value of the contract is £6,569,499.00 The dates between which the services are intended to be provided is: Initial period of three (3) years from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028 with an option to extend by a further 12 months (1 year)

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Legal Justification

The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 27/02/2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Written representations should be sent to procurement@brent.gov.uk Details of the award decision-makers - Brent Cabinet resolved to approve the direct award of the contract. https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/s147562/10.%20Award%20of%20contract%20f... Note any declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision and how these were managed - There are no identified conflicts of interest. A report was prepared by the Officer recommending the award and the decision was made and taken by the Council's Cabinet. Relative importance of the key criteria that the relevant authority used to make a decision - The existing provider was assessed against key criteria which were equally weighted and the provider scored satisfactorily against the assessed criteria as set out below. Assessment of the existing provider's current performance against the existing contract taking into account the established key criteria: Quality and innovation 30% Provider will be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard. The service should support the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties through the delivery of the services within this contract. Resources are to be recruited to meet the projected increase and growth annually. Value 30% Provider will be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard. The provider actively engages in reviewing gaps in provision with key partners and is working to understand how resource can support the new model of delivery. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability 25% Provider will be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard. The service is currently meeting the Borough based plan, and the new service specification and contract outlines opportunities for the provider to do this again. For example, CLCH sits on the steering group for the Start for Life programme. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice 5% Provider will be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard. The new specification outlines an equitable and inclusive Speech and Language Therapy Service to children and young people aged from 0 to 25 years with an Education Health Care Plan, where SaLT has been identified as a need in Section F, within linked early years settings, mainstream schools and ARPs (both in and out borough) and, where applicable, some young people attending further educational facilities including colleges. The service delivers training to staff in schools to support implementation of the programme. Social value 10% While there is no specific commitment to the Council’s Social Value and Ethical Procurement policy, the provider is actively engaged in reviewing gaps in provision with key partners within the wider system and is working to understand how resource can support the new model of delivery. This supports improvements in the cohort’s life chances to realise their aspirations by ensuring early intervention at all ages and support for children, young people and families.