RESOLVED – That the Director of Public Health accepts the winning tender for the Young People’s Confidential Online Counselling and Advice Service which has been submitted and evaluated in accordance with Wirral Council Contract Procedure rules and approves the award of a one-year contract (with the option to extend for one year) commencing on 1st September 2021. The contract term has a maximum value of £202,640.

The current service contract is due to end on 31 August 21. A procurement exercise has been completed in accordance with Council Contract Procedure Rules and the successful bidder is the most economically advantageous, is fully compliant and is within allocated budget provision. New contract will be in in place 1 September 21.

Valued support is provided via this contract so it was not considered an option not to recommission the service, particularly in view of the current concerns for young people’s mental health as a result of Covid 19. The short-term contract period is proposed across a range of services for children and young people to enable a more collaborative and joint commissioning approach to be developed across the system which will provide greater efficiency/outcomes long-term.