Agenda item

Early Intervention Grants - Outcomes of Commissioning

Minutes:

A report by the Interim Director of Children’s Services outlined the recent tendering exercise for services and support to children, young people and families via the Early Intervention Grant. Based on the outcomes of the tendering exercise, the report made recommendations for providers of these services and sought approval from the Cabinet to proceed to offering contracts totalling £2,821,828.

The Cabinet was informed that within Wirral there was now a more robust data to inform and support decision making than had previously been available. Returns from the Common Assessment Framework, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, ASSET the Youth Offending Service Evaluation tool kit and returns from internal monitoring were providing detailed information which was informing priority setting. Following consideration of the intelligence available, commissioning priorities were as follows:

Early intervention and support for families in difficult circumstances (parenting and compromised parenting). (Priority area 1)
Children and Young People with Disabilities. (Priority area 2)
Improving behaviour in Children, Young People and Families. (Priority area 3)

These priorities were agreed by Wirral Childrens Trust and supported the goals in the Your Family: Children and Young People section of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2011-2014. A range of evidence based service areas had been identified for each of the three priority areas above – these were set out in Appendix 1 to the report for Members’ information.

Councillor Ann McLachlan informed that she was satisfied that there was a robust process in place in respect of commissioning and requested the Interim Director to work with the unsuccessful organisations.

RESOLVED:

That the providers identified for the range of services included in the Early Intervention Grant resulting from an open tendering exercise, as detailed in the following tables be approved:

Table 1: Proposed Providers for Priority Area 1 Parenting/reducing compromised Parenting

Proposed Provider	Priority and Service Area	Units of activity	Description of service	Sector
Homestart (North Wirral)	PA1.1 Home Visiting 0-5	Support 250 families.	Support for families on a one to one basis in their own homes using a whole family approach where at least one child is under 5. Service provided at earliest opportunity to prevent difficulties from escalating into crises	Voluntary sector provider
Action for Children	PA1.2.1A Triple P groups	15 programmes	To provide evidence based parenting programme Triple P Teens to parents and carers in a range of venues across Wirral.	Voluntary sector provider
Action for Children	PA1.2.1B Nurturing Programme	8 programmes	To provide evidence based parenting programme Nurturing Programme to parents and carers in a range of venues across Wirral.	Voluntary sector provider
Action for Children	PA1.2.1C Strengthening Families 10-14 yrs	6 programmes	To provide evidence based parenting programme Strengthening Families 10 to 14 years to parents and carers in partnership with local EBD Secondary Schools.	Voluntary sector provider
Action for Children	PA1.2.1D Strengthening Families/Strengthening Communities	5 programmes	To provide evidence based parenting programme Strengthening Families/Strengthening Communities to parents and carers of BME children and young people in a range of venues across Wirral.	Voluntary sector provider
Catch 22	PA1.2.2 Intensive Family Support	Support 80 families.	To provide an intensive family support service with the assertive delivery of support service with sanctions and possible enforcement action to increase a family’s motivation to change their behaviour.	Voluntary sector provider
Catholic Children’s Society	PA1.2.3 Home Visiting 5-19 yrs	Support 120 families.	Home Visiting Service Structured group work to develop parenting skills, delivered in the community and in partnership with schools. Individual staff support families at home and offer parenting groups in the community to develop skills and social networks	Voluntary sector provider
Leapfrog Zero Centre	PA1.2.4A Domestic Violence 5-13 yrs	Support 80 families.	Support for children who have experienced domestic violence, skills building to resolve conflict, emotional support	Voluntary sector provider
Barnardos	PA1.2.4B Domestic Violence 16-18 yrs	Support 75 young women.	Support for young women who have and are experiencing domestic violence by providing intensive support to skills building to resolve conflict and emotional support	Voluntary sector provider
Wirral Multi Cultural Organisation	PA1.2.5 BME	Support 100 families.	Support Black and Minority ethnic children with a particular focus upon children who are experiencing the negative effects of social isolation, family stress and racial harassment.	Voluntary sector provider
Barnardos	PA1.2.6 Young Carers	Support 15 young carers.	To provide services to children and young people who have been identified as young carers with additional or complex needs as a result of their responsibilities. To reduce their caring role to increase positive outcomes by working within a multi agency framework	Voluntary sector provider

Table 2: Proposed Providers for Priority Area 2 Children and Young People with Disabilities

Proposed Provider	Priority and Service Area	Units of activity	Description of Service	Sector
Activate Training	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	3 x 3hours sessions per week x 37 weeks	Creative and performing arts workshops for young people with disabilities. There will be weekday evening and weekend provision with two split groups, aged 8-13 and 13-19.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Crossroads Care Cheshire West and Wirral	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	8 weekends per year for up to 20 children	Weekend stays for children aged 8 to 19 with disabilities at Barnstondale Outdoor Centre	Voluntary Sector Provider
Crossroads Care Cheshire West and Wirral	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	2 hours per week for up to 20 children	After school activity club for 13-19 year olds	Voluntary Sector Provider
Crossroads Care Cheshire West and Wirral	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	3 x 2 hour sessions per week x 39 weeks	After school club for children with complex health needs	Voluntary Sector Provider
Crossroads Care Cheshire West and Wirral	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	4 x 4hour sessions x 48 weeks	Weekend activity sessions for children aged 8-18 with complex needs.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Autistic Society	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	208 x 3 hour sessions per year	Activity clubs for children aged 7-18 with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition or other associated social and communication difficulties.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Council (Sport Development Unit)	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	Weekday- 2 hours session x 28 weeks Weekend- 2 hour sessions x 46 weeks	Sporting activities for children aged 5-19 with disabilities. There will be weekday evening and weekend provision with two split groups, aged 5-14 and 15-19.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Play Council	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	5 x 2-3 hours sessions per week x 47 weeks	Playscheme for children aged 5-19 with disabilities. Weekday, weekend and holiday sessions split according to age and needs of children.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Resource Centre and Toy Library	PA2.1 Weekday and Weekend Leisure/Play activities	208 x 2 hour sessions	Weekday evening and weekend play sessions for children aged 0-8 with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition or other associated social and communication difficulties.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Autistic Society	PA2.2 Sitting Service	2392 sessions	Sitting Service for children and young people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition, associated difficulties or traits.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wired	PA2.3 Direct Payment Support Scheme	21 hours per week	Support service to actively support with recruitment of Personal Assistants and the Human resources issues related to recruitment and employment.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Council (Family Support Team)	2.4 ASD Specialised Support	1935 sessions	Individualised one to one service for young people who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Severe Learning Difficulties and may display challenging behaviour.	Statutory Provider

Table 3: Proposed Providers for Priority Area 3 Improving behaviour in Children, Young People and Families.

Proposed Provider	Priority Area	Units of activity	Description of service	Sector
Wirral Council (Youth & Play Service)	P 3.1A : Risk taking Behaviour in young people ages 8-13	416 x 2 hours sessions	Enhanced outreach for young people aged 8-13. This will support vulnerable young people in the transition period from primary to secondary school.	Statutory Provider
Merseyside Fire and rescue Service	PA3.1B : Risk taking Behaviour in Young people ages 13-19	4x 12 week courses	Beacon Project – targeted group project which will operate on a referrals basis and be part of a response to the needs of young people identified as needing additional support. This will operate during term time and will accept referral from schools, training providers, Connexions and other stakeholder organisations.	Statutory Provider
Merseyside Fire and Rescue	PA3.1B : Risk taking Behaviour in Young people ages 13-19	5x 12 week courses	Life Project: This will operate in holiday periods and will also tackle anti social behaviour. Sessions will be delivered in identified hot spot areas.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Youth & Play Service	PA3.1B : Risk taking Behaviour in Young people ages 13-19	1049 x 2 hour sessions	Enhanced Outreach – This programme will be part of a programme of outreach engaging with young people aged 13-19. Provision will be targeted at identified hot spot areas.	Statutory Provider
Grange Baptist	PA3.1B : Risk taking Behaviour in Young people ages 13-19	48 x 3 hour sessions	Week-end work – This programme will operate from Grange Baptist church in Birkenhead. This project operates on a Saturday night and works with young people seeking alternative provision. It is envisaged that 18-100 young people will use this project every week-end	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Council (Youth and Play Service)	PA3.1B : Risk taking Behaviour in Young people ages 13-19	31 x 3 hour sessions	Artsmark Plus- Targeted arts programme which will operate alongside enhanced outreach 13-19	Statutory Provider
Wirral Council (Youth and Play Service)	PA3.2 Advice and Guidance 1:1	483 x 1 hour sessions	One to one advice sessions- these will be provided across the authority in a variety of venues. This will enable individual young people to access personal support.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Council (Youth and Play Service)	PA3.2 Advice and Guidance Open Sessions	322 x 3 hour sessions	Open Advice Sessions- these will be provided as part of a universal programme to ensure young people have advice on a range of issues.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Council (Sports Development)	PA3.3A Accredited Opportunities -Sports	320 x 3 hour sessions	Youth Sports Nights Week-ends/ Hot spot areas : to provide sports nights on Friday and Saturday nights in response to identified hot spot areas.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Council (Sports Development)	PA3.3A Accredited Opportunities -Sports	288 x 3 hour sessions	Youth Sports provision Holiday periods/ Hot spot areas: This will be planned holiday provision in each district during holiday periods.	Statutory Provider
Wirral Council (Youth and Play Service) & Partners	PA3.3A Accredited Opportunities -Arts	1681 x 2.5 - 3 hour sessions	Accredited Opportunities to be provided across Wirral and by other partners. This will be a universal provision that will be part of any planned intervention with young people. This approach is in line with the need to have universal positive activities for young people to engage as the need for intensive support is reduced. This provision will operate Wirral wide and in voluntary and statutory settings.	Statutory& Voluntary Providers
Involve North West	Priority Area 3.3B (PA3.3B) Big Nights Wirral's Got Talent	5 x 3 hour events	Wirral’s Got Talent – four District heats and one final.	Voluntary Sector Provider
Involve North West	PA3.3B Big Nights Big Band	5 x 3 hour events	Big Band Nights – four district heats and one final	Voluntary Sector Provider
Involve North West	PA3.3B Big Nights DJing	5 x 3 hour events	DJing Competition – four district heats and one final	Voluntary Sector Provider
Involve North West	PA3.3B Big Nights Discos	4 x 3 hour events	Four discos – one in each District	Voluntary Sector Provider
Wirral Council (Youth & Play)	PA3.4 Risk Taking workshops	60 x 3 hour workshops	Sixty Risk taking Behaviour Workshops. These will be developed in response to identified local need. The workshops will operate in a variety of settings and seek to engage vulnerable young people.	Statutory Provider

Summary:

· Priority Area 1 Parenting/reducing compromised Parenting: £1,587,528 (£1,322,500 EIG, £265,028 partnership contributions)

· Priority Area 2 Children and Young People with Disabilities: £779,772

· Priority Area 3 Improving behaviour in Children, Young

People and Families. £454,528

TOTAL RECOMMENDED AMOUNT £2,821,828

(inc. £265,028 partnership)

Supporting documents: