Issue - meetings

The report sought authority to undertake a procurement exercise to commission Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA) placements for children looked after via Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) ensuring compliance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The Council had a statutory duty under Section 22G of the Children Act 1989 to provide sufficient local accommodation for looked after children. This required local authorities to take steps that secured, so far as reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation within the authority’s area which met the needs of children that the local authority was looking after.

The Council currently spot purchases foster care provision from a range of IFAs due to insufficient capacity within in- house foster carers. Setting up the Council’s own Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) would support in budling a long-term arrangement with providers, focusing on developing closer relationships.  This would assist Haringey in managing the market, controlling costs and working in partnership to increase the number of foster placements within the Borough to support children looked after. 

In 2023/2024, 123 children looked after were placed with IFAs and £5.8 million was spent on this provision. 

As of Feb 2025, 87 children looked after were placed in IFA placements 

In FY 2024/2025, £5.1 million was spent on independent fostering. 

A new DPS would be established and the estimated spend up to 4 years term was estimated at £22.5 million. This figure included an annual inflation of 4%. 

The new DPS would enable the Council to commission fostering placements for children and young people from IFAs until such time as the Procurement Act 2023 (Commencement and Transitional and Savings Arrangement Regulations 2024) permit, currently not being less than 4 years.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED 

1.    To approve the estimated spend of up to £22.5 million on Independent Fostering Agencies over a period of 4 years via the DPS which is inclusive of annual inflation of 4%.

2.    To approve the commissioning fostering placements from Independent Fostering Agencies for Children looked after via the corporate DPS pursuant to Regulation 34 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. 

3.    Where contracts valued at £500,000 or more that require approval by the Cabinet Member as per Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1 d) or modified as per CSO 10.02.1 b) (variations and extensions to contracts of £500,000) or more; to delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Lead member for Children’s, Schools and families to award, vary or extend any individual call offs or block contract arrangements under the DPS to successful providers up to £1 million per award or any individual variation and extension.

Reasons for decision 

Services would be commissioned through Haringey’s DPS and be aligned to the procurement regulations, ensuring compliance and flexibility in developing the provider market. 

The Council had a statutory requirement to provide accommodation for children who were in its care and to improve outcomes and actively promote the life chances of children they look after. It was the responsibility of local authorities to act as the best possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6

This report sought the Cabinet Member’s approval for the delivery of essential voids works on a short-term basis for:

• Properties acquired by the council for onward leasing to the Haringey Community Benefit Society (HCBS).
• Private Sector Leased (PSL) properties that were leased long-term by Haringey Council or Homes for Haringey from private landlords for temporary accommodation.

Following a formal procurement process outlined in sections 7.1–7.3, the Cabinet Member was asked to approve the appointment of Contractors A and B (detailed in Appendix One) to carry out these works.

Subject to approval, the contract was expected to commence in early summer 2025, running for an initial two-year period. The initiative aimed to improve a significant number of void properties within the HCBS and PSL portfolios.

The CABINET MEMBER RESOLVED:

Recommendations:

3.1.1. Approves pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders (CSO) 2.01(c), the appointment both Bidder A and Bidder B (named in Appendix One) to undertake building works as agreed to the properties for contract sums as set out in Appendix One.

 3.1.2. Approves the total sum set out in Appendix One.

Reasons for decision:

3.1. Haringey Council is forecasting a significant expansion in the number of properties acquired for onward lease to the HCBS that will require void works. Separately, the council and Homes for Haringey are entering into long term leases on properties owned by private sector landlords for use as temporary accommodation (commonly referred to as PSL properties).

3.2. In total, it is expected that a very significant number of properties, as outlined in 3.1, will require voids works over the next 2 years.

3.3. Following an assessment of the available options, the council requires the works set out in Appendix One to be completed for these properties to be let rapidly to Haringey residents.

3.4. After the conclusion of a formal procurement process, Contractors A and B have been identified to deliver this contract

Alternative options considered

4.1. The primary alternative to the proposed contract would be for the required services to be delivered by existing teams within the council. However, as noted in 3.1, the council is forecasting a significant increase in the number of properties that require void works over the next two years. These voids will require rapid, specialist work to allow them to be let to Haringey residents. This is a time dependent priority given that, like most local authorities, Haringey is facing acute housing need from homeless households and a requirement to reduce the council spending on expensive private rented sector accommodation for residents who have presented as homeless (please see 5.1-5.4).

4.2. As a consequence, it has been concluded that existing council services would benefit from additional support from a short-term void works contract to deliver these essential works in a quick timeframe.

4.3. An alternative option would be to conduct a direct appointment, but this option was rejected due to the estimated contract value of the scheme and to drive value for money through competitive bidding. Instead, this contract was procured  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23