To receive information regarding the options for delivery and provision of support services for children and young people, providing the Committee with the opportunity to consider and discuss the recommended option.

The Head of Commissioning and Performance delivered a report which outlined the recommissioning process, the scope, approach and the need for effective analysis in order to meet the needs of those accessing services. Members were advised that all stakeholders had expressed positive and constructive feedback about the future arrangements and that changes would enable improved coordination across all services.

In light of the report Members discussed the following in summary:-

The importance of effective information sharing between partners with greater emphasis on an innovative and flexible approach to the delivery of services.

That service users were often unsure how to access that which was available to them.

The importance of working closely with schools and equipping them with the requisite skills in order that they understood the future challenges in relation to changes in structure and its associated impact.

The need to monitor contract management, assessing the performance of providers and ensuring measures were in place to bring services back ‘in house’ if necessary.

The structure and effectiveness of children’s centres and targeted youth work.

NOTED the approach to date and RECOMMENDED that regular performance reports of those external providers commissioned to provide services on behalf of the Council be delivered to the Committee at future meetings.