COUNTY BOROUGH OF

REPORT TO: THE LEADER AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

REPORT SUBJECT: FLYING START ROLL OUT 2012-2015 – CHILDCARE ELEMENT

REPORT AUTHOR: HAYLEY BILLINGTON - EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE MANAGER

LEAD OFFICER/ LIZ MAJER - CORPORATE DIRECTOR SOCIAL DEPARTMENT SERVICES

Summary Report

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek retrospective approval to follow the Local Authority’s Standing Order Contracts (SOC) 3 for Exceptions Policy. This is in relation to the commissioning of three childcare providers to deliver childcare in three of the expansion areas as they are the sole providers of childcare in the identified Lower Super Output Area (LSOA).

2.0 LINK TO CORPORATE STRATEGIES

2.1 Single Integrated Plan 2014-2017.

3.0 SUMMARY/PROPOSALS

3.1 In October 2011, the Welsh Government announced that the Flying Start programme was one of its top five national priorities, contributing to the anti-poverty agenda and as from April 2012 the Flying Start programme would expand to double the number of children receiving the service across .

3.2 The agreed areas for roll out of Flying Start 2012-13 are:-  1  North 2  1  3

3.3 Welsh Government (WG) guidance on the development of Flying Start childcare is that childcare should be established in the identified LSOA and be within pram walking distance or a 15 minute walk, they also suggest that Local Authority’s should be looking to work with existing providers if they are in an LSOA so as to not displace existing childcare provision in an identified area.

3.4 Work commenced in October 2012 to identify potential childcare providers in the LSOA’s detailed in 3.2 above. Unfortunately due to the ill health of the lead officer for Flying Start this element has not been progressed in line with target timescales.

3.5 As there is only one provider in each LSOA, there is no competition within that area, and due to the urgency to get childcare commissioned in time for January 2014 delivery timescales, retrospective approval is being sought to follow the Local Authority’s SCO3 for Exception Policy in relation to going out to competitive tender to commission childcare.

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 It is recommended that the Executive Committee grant approval retrospectively as of November 2013; to follow the Local Authority’s SOC3 for Exception Policy to commission three childcare providers to deliver childcare in three of the expansion areas as they are the sole providers of childcare in the identified LSOA. Therefore approving the decision to not competitively tender in line with procuring the above and ensuring compliance with Welsh Government guidance.

Detailed Report

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of the report is to seek retrospective approval to follow the Local Authority’s SOC3 for Exceptions Policy. This is in relation to the commissioning of three childcare providers to deliver childcare in three of the expansion areas as they are the sole providers of childcare in the identified LSOA.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 The Flying Start Programme was developed by the Welsh Government in 2006; to support children aged 0-3 years, and their families, living in the most deprived areas in Wales.

2.2 In 2007 Blaenau Gwent was allocated a capped figure of 500 children, and a revenue allocation of £824,489.

2.3 The programme was developed locally, around school catchment areas, and in Blaenau Gwent the following school catchment areas were identified for Flying Start services:-

 Deighton  Garnlydan  Coed y Garn  St Illtyd’s 

2.4 In 2009 it was recognised that the capped figure had been exceeded by over 100 children, and after seeking advice from the Welsh Government, an independent review was implemented.

2.5 The review resulted in the de-designation of the Coed y Garn Catchment, in order to comply with Welsh Government requirements.

2.6 The Flying Start Programme is currently running in the following areas:  Sirhowy  Deighton  Garnlydan  St Illtyd’s  Swffryd

2.7 The programme is currently offering the 4 core entitlements to the most vulnerable, eligible families:

 Enhanced health support  Parenting support  Basic skills support  Childcare for 2 year olds

2.8 In October 2011, the Welsh Government announced that the Flying Start programme was one of its top five national priorities, contributing to the anti-poverty agenda and as from April 2012 the Flying Start programme would expand to double the number of children receiving the service across Wales.

2.9 The agreed areas for roll out of Flying Start 2012-13 are:-  Cwmtillery 1  2  Ebbw Vale South 1  Nantyglo 3

3.0 PRESENT POSITION

3.1 Welsh Government (WG) guidance on the development of Flying Start childcare is that childcare should be established in the identified LSOA and be within pram walking distance or a 15 minute walk, they also suggest that Local Authority’s should be looking to work with existing providers if they are in an LSOA so as to not displace existing childcare provision in an identified area.

3.2 WG have issued detailed guidance on the criteria for delivering Flying Start (FS) childcare which will be written into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with all commissioned childcare providers, which will then be monitored by the FS advisory Teacher or FS childcare coordinator.

3.3 Work commenced in October 2012 to identify potential childcare providers in the LSOA’s detailed in 1.8 above. Unfortunately due the ill health of the lead officer for Flying Start this element has not been progressed in line with target timescales.

3.4 Roll out of the childcare element of Flying Start for January 2014 delivery is now a high priority.

3.5 In the designated LSOA areas there are only three Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) registered, established childcare providers. They are as follows:-  Cwmtillery 1 - Mini Me’s Playgroup  Ebbw Vale South 1 – Tweeny Tots Playgroup  Nantyglo 3 – Cylch Meithrin Helyg Bychan

3.6 As there is only one provider in each LSOA, there is no competition within that area, and due to the urgency to get childcare commissioned in time for January 2014 delivery timescales, retrospective approval is being sought to follow the Local Authority’s SCO3 for Exception Policy in relation to going out to competitive tender to commission childcare.

3.7 It has been necessary to speak to the three childcare providers in the newly designated FS areas in preparation for them to deliver FS childcare from the 1st January 2014.

4.0 ISSUES AND BARRIERS INDENTIFIED

4.1 Due to the long term sickness of the Flying Start Coordinator the roll out of FS childcare has not been progressed in line with target timescales.

FS health services moved into Cwmtillery 1 in October 2013 and Nantyglo 3 in November 2013, however, as the childcare element has not been progressed this core element is not currently being offered.

If retrospective approval to follow the LA SOC3 for Exceptions Policy is not granted in respect of the three new Flying Start (FS) areas there will be further delays in the commissioning process and delivery of the childcare element would not be able to commence in January 2014. There would also be an under spend in the FS Grant.

5.0 PROPOSAL

5.1 The proposal is that members grant retrospective approval to follow the LA SOC3 for Exceptions Policy, with regards to commissioning existing CSSIW registered childcare providers within the newly designated FS LSOA areas, as they are the only providers within these individual LSOA’s that could provide childcare within pram walking distance.

6.0 STATEMENT ON FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6.1 Flying Start is funded under grant from the Welsh Government to fund the four core elements. Should the childcare element of the expansion programme not be ready for delivery in January 2014 then it is estimated that there will be an under spend in the region of £34,645.

7.0 STATEMENT ON PERSONNEL/STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

7.1 There are no staffing or personnel implications associated with this report.

8.0 STATEMENT ON CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS

8.1 HUMAN CHIEF DIRECTOR OTHER RESOURCES LEGAL OF OFFICER / RESOURCES MONITORING / S.151 OFFICER CMT

The following have been consulted in line with the proposal:  Procurement Department

9.0 STATEMENT CONFIRMING THAT CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO RELEVANT LEGISLATION

9.1 All appropriate legislation has been complied with and Welsh Government Flying Start Guidance.

10.0 CONCLUSION

10.1 Retrospective approval to follow the Local Authority’s SOC3 for Exceptions Policy would ensure that the delivery of Flying Start childcare in the expansion areas would be able to commence in January 2014. And that there is less risk of under spend in the childcare element.

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the Executive Committee grant approval retrospectively as of November 2013; to follow the Local Authority’s SOC3 for Exception Policy to commission three childcare providers to delivery childcare in three of the expansion areas as they are the sole providers of childcare in the identified LSOA.

LIZ MAJER CORPORATE DIRECTOR SOCIAL SERVICES

Ref: LM/TE/HB/JP/FSRO.1771 Date: 4th December 2013