The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) providing:

·         An update on the Council’s vision for developing an integrated children’s service (0-19s Model) which delivers better outcomes for children and families through more effective services and improved pathways; and

·         An update on the recommissioning of the 0-5 Service (Health Visiting), including feedback from a public consultation.

Resolved:

1. That the creation and development of an integrated children’s service (0-19s Model), be approved.

2. That the 0-5 Service (Health Visiting) be brought in-house from 1^st April 2019, alongside the in-house 5-19 Service (School Nursing), to form the core of the 0-19s Model.

3. That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (People), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing and the Director of Public Health, to finalise the structure and mobilisation of the 0-19s Model (including bringing the 0-5 service in-house).

Reasons for decision:

The creation of a 0-19 Model (with an in-house Health Visiting service) would improve integration with other children’s services commissioned by the Council and Southend Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCG) and provide the Council with direct control over the quality and delivery of the service.  This would deliver enhanced outcomes for children and families in Southend.

Other options:

No change – recommission an outsourced 0-5 Service and do not create a 0-19s Model.  This would represent a wasted opportunity to improve outcomes for children and families and improve service integration. There are concerns that prospective bidders may not have bid for this service given the available budgets

Commission an outsourced 0-19 Service (comprising Health Visiting and School Nursing). This would represent a wasted opportunity to improve service integration with in-house services.

Jointly commission an outsourced 0-19 Service, which includes SCCG-commissioned services (Children’s Community Services and Community Paediatrics). This does not align with SCCG priorities at this time and would not be deliverable within available timescales.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Salter