Contact: Sandra McDine, 01962 847216, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services approves the proposal to extend the current contract by six months, for the provision of residential care at a specific unit through an exemption from the Council Council's Standing Orders on Contracts.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Maximising well-being" - by ensuring that children and young people with disabilities are able to remain within their own communities, maintaining links with their families and friends, and securing a positive and successful transition to adulthood.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

By enabling the young people to enjoy and achieve whilst in a secure placement within children's services; to remain safe through the transition to adulthood; and by securing a long term placement they will be in the best possible position to achieve economic wellbeing in adulthood.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Other possible alternatives included tendering the service on a long term basis, or moving the young people currently placed to alternative non county placements when the current contract expires, but these options were not considered to be appropriate.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 N/A.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services