The Head of Integrated Learning, Skills and Employment introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education, which detailed the background of the service to encourage, enable and assist young people’s participation in employment, education and training as well as the proposed procurement of the service alongside Halton Council and Knowsley Council, with Halton Council agreeing to lead on the procurement activity. It was reported that the service had historically been jointly commissioned which had produced improvements in the proportion of children not in education, employment or training, with Wirral performing better than the England and North West average. The current contract with the existing provider was due to expire on 31 March 2022.

Members considered the proposed joint arrangements and sought further information on the previous partnership which had included Liverpool City Council. It was reported that Liverpool City Council had opted to test and trial alternative approaches, but that officers felt that the partnership still provided the best value to Wirral children. It was further reported that Liverpool City Region authorities were closely aligned on the work area to share best practice.

Resolved – That delegated authority be given to the Director of Children, Families and Education to enter into a partnership service delivery contract with Halton Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and an approved service provider, at the end of the procurement process to deliver a service to support and enable NEET young people to positively participate.