Decision details

The Director of Children and Families:

a) Approved the issue of Direct Awards in order to continue offering a range of targeted short breaks and fun activities to C&YP with SEND in line with Contracts Procedure Rules 9.4 and 27.1, relevant and current law. The period covered by the Direct Award will end on 30th September 2024.
b) Approved the expenditure of up to £158,750 for the six months period with no option to extend after the 30th September 2024. This is 50% of the annual Grants value that was previously allocated to the commissioned providers.
c) Approved payment in advance to the Direct Award recipients. Payment in advance is crucial to small, third sector organisations so that they can effectively manage budgets and cash flow to deliver the service. This has been the payment method used over the last nine or so years for services commissioned via the competitive grants process. Payments will be made for the full six months in April 2024. Providers will be subject to a financial checking process using the CreditSafe facility.