The purpose of the report is to seek approval to insource the Baby Feeding and Wellbeing Service into the council. This contract was approved for an open competitive tender in 2021/22 quarter 4. Cabinet Contracts forward plan. Since this period, a national policy development of Family Hubs has been introduced. This has provided funding and strategic focus to better integrate the community services working with children and families. As a result, the contracting approach for the Baby Feeding and Wellbeing Service has been re-assessed and it is proposed to insource this service instead of open competitive tendering. Approval for the change in contracting approach is sought accordingly.

DECISION

1.    Approve the insourcing of the Baby Feeding and Wellbeing Service into the Council. This service would sit within the Early Help and Children & Family Service, in the Children and Culture Directorate. A smaller element of the existing service (specialist training and volunteer peer support network) would continue to be subcontracted to a specialist external organisation identified through an RFQ procurement process.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (S. BANERJEE)

Associate Director of Public Health (K. Cole)