A report by the Director of Children’s Services outlined the Learn Together Partnership, a partnership of the Children and Young People’s Directorates in Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral Councils, that had been working collaboratively to develop a range of activities, within a public sector ethos, that augments the capacity of member organisations.

Step Up To Social Work was a national pilot programme, which offered an employment-based route for non-specialists to qualify as a social worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work. The first cohort of trainees was currently completing this pilot programme.  The original tender to provide training was only for this pilot group and so the Department of Children’s Services had been advised to retender for the contract for further cohorts.

The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) had agreed to provide funding for a second cohort of trainees. Wirral Council, as the Lead Local Authority for the programme, on behalf of the Learn Together Partnership, had begun the procurement process to supply the academic delivery of the programme. This report contained the outcome of the procurement process.

All exempt information was set out in an exempt appendix to the report. (Minute No. 111 refers)  This information was exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as the information was considered to be commercially sensitive as it would be likely to prejudice the commercial interest of the successful tenderer and the public interest in not disclosing the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the acceptance of the tender by Liverpool John Moores University be confirmed;

(2)  the Director of Children’s Services be requested to enter into a contract with Liverpool John Moores   University to deliver an MA in Social work training on behalf of the Learn Together Partnership; and

(3)  agreement be given for there to be up to two renewals of the contract, each for a period of 18 months, in the event of funding continuing beyond a second cohort and of the Learn Together Partnership wishing to take part.

Councillor P Davies in the Chair.