Agenda item

[Report of the Director of Adults and Health. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health]

This report seeks approval to vary and extend the Council’s contract for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance services, held by Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux, for up to 23 months from 2nd April 2020 to 1st April 2022.

 The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health introduced this report which sought approval to vary and extend the Council’s contract for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance services, held by Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux, for up to 23 months from 2nd April 2020 to 1st April 2022.

The Cabinet Member noted the Council was committed to supporting people with a mental health diagnosis, who needed accommodation to help their recovery. Housing Related Support supported a wide range of people to develop independent living skills to aid recovery and enable them to move on to live independently.

The Cabinet Member was pleased to support the approach proposed which would see short term extensions to the current arrangements to ensure that the service continues whilst a new model is co-designed with stakeholders before commissioning gets underway for the future.

RESOLVED

1. To approve in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 10.02.1(b), the variation and extension of the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Contract with the Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux by extending the life of the Contract for a further period of up to 15 months with effect from 2^nd April 2020.

2. That the total cost for extending the Contract across all four geographic lots for the period 2^nd April 2020 to 1^st April 2021 is £816,000. That approval is granted for extension for up to a further 3 months if required, from 2^nd April 2021 to 30^th June 2021, at a total of £204,000. The value over the full 15 months, if used, would therefore be £1,020,000.

The underwriting of a £55,000 contribution made to the IAG contract by the Better Care Fund, which as yet remains unconfirmed, due to administrative delays beyond the Council’s control. This contingency is recommended to ensure the contract extension is promptly completed and service delivery is maintained, however it has been strongly indicated that this funding will continue into the next year of the contract. If necessary, the contribution will be secured from within the Council’s Housing Related Support budgets.

Reasons for decision

The provision of high quality and widely accessible information, advice and guidance for local residents, across a range of topic areas and with direct benefit to local communities, is of primary importance to the Council. It is therefore in the Council’s overall interest to agree to an extension of the current contract whilst redesign and commissioning of a new service are completed, which will continue to deliver beneficial outcomes for those residents who need additional support and information.

It is proposed that in order to continue to provide the best service for Haringey residents, the extension period will be used to develop and commission a new model of IAG delivery with service users and stakeholders. Whilst performance of the existing service is good, it is recognised that there is always room for adaptations particularly in light of a number of other developments across the borough including the implementation of the Council’s Community Wealth Building Policy and Welcome Strategy, the expected roll-out of Universal Credit and the impact of Brexit for Haringey. In addition, there is work to build upon and incorporate relevant aligned projects, including that of Connected Communities, the developing network of navigation services and further integration of health and community services. Remodelling will also be able to provide for a shift in service delivery, to ensure a variety of routes of access and modes of advice delivery, and a service which works to support and improve the broader Information, Advice & Guidance offer across the borough.

Performance has been evaluated as good throughout the contract period. Performance returns are completed and submitted on time and targets are met. There is a demonstrable need for IAG in Haringey and the service is evidently delivering positive outcomes for residents.

Alternative options considered

In-house provision was considered and was found not to be suitable for full delivery of this service, as there is a need for an independent advice offer for residents. IAG services frequently provide support to residents in ensuring that statutory decisions are robust and holding statutory authorities to account, and therefore an independent offer is required.

Procurement of new contracts was considered, however this would not allow enough time to conduct a sufficient redesign and remodelling of the service, or the necessary market engagement, to deliver best value and practice.

Ceasing the current contracts was considered, however this was deemed not to be in the best interests of Haringey residents or the Council. The decision to extend will ensure continuity of Information, Advice and Guidance provision in Haringey whilst remodelling of the service takes place. This IAG provision contributes to the delivery of the Council’s statutory responsibilities under a range of legislation.