Issue - meetings

 Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

 Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which sough Cabinet’s agreement for the Council to continue to collaborate with other regional local authorities and join the new South West Framework Agreement for the procurement of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placements for looked after children and young people from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2021, with an option to extend, subject to fee negotiations.

Resolved

To approve Wiltshire Council to continue to collaborate with other regional local authorities and join the new South West Regional Independent Fostering Agency Framework for placements for looked after children and young people from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2021, with an option to extend, subject to fee negotiations.

Reason for Decision:

There are currently no other procurement options available once the existing framework contract term ceases. Should the Authority not join the new framework then the procurement of independent fostering placements will be off contract with the risk of uncontrolled spend and non-compliance. The Authority will be unable to hold providers to agreed fees, resulting in a risk that the cost of placements will continue to increase year on year, which will clearly impact on the placements budget.

Sub-regional working has proven helpful in terms of bringing consistency to some aspects of IFA provision.

The participating Local Authorities aspire to work with IFA providers who are

delivering good outcomes for children and young people.