Issue details

We have a statutory duty under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 to accommodate young people deemed to be a Child in Need under section 17(10) of the Children Act, if they have no one to take parental responsibility for them and they believe their welfare would otherwise be "likely to be seriously prejudiced". One way we discharge this duty is through arranging placements via our 16+ High support DPS.
In January 2017 Cabinet gave approval to procure and enter contracts for the ‘External Supported Accommodation ‘dynamic purchasing system’ (DPS), and Delegated authority to the Executive Director of People to invoke any variations or extensions.
Since 2017, commissioning activity through the DPS has taken place including: Appointing 32 providers through 10 procurement rounds, and running several mini competitions for Shared Accommodation for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)
The framework is due to expire at the end of September 2024. From this point we have agreed to join the South Gloucestershire led regional framework, and will be going to the new Committee system in the summer for permission to purchase from it. A short term extension is being sought in case of any delays in navigating the new system, or in our providers joining the new framework. Implementing an extension will prevent us from breaching in case any delays materialise.