Resolved:
That Cabinet:
1. Agrees to commission Speech and Language Therapy services for schools and early years settings with a clear co-produced specification that meets the needs of families and children and education settings.
2. Agrees to increased investment in speech and language services from the SEND Transformation Programme budget, to provide a total of £2,280,000 over the lifetime of the contract period of two years, plus one.
3. Delegates authority to approve and award a new contract and future extensions and all associated documents to the Director of Commissioning and Director of Education and Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion.
Reason for Decision:
The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to Cabinet on the status of the Council’s contracted Speech and Language Service which is delivered by an external service supplier and expires on 31 March 2025.