URL: https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7479

Decision Maker: Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Community Development

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To request authority to award a contract for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (“UASC”) and former UASC.

Content: To request authority to award a contract for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (“UASC”) and former UASC. That the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Community Development:   i)               Approves the award of contract for UASC Emotional Wellbeing Service for 3 years in the sum of £300,000.00 to Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (“ACAA”). An emotional wellbeing service for UASC will provide bespoke support for this cohort of young people, based on evidence of need. Council officers have undertaken a procurement exercise and identified ACAA as the contractor providing the most economically advantageous offer in accordance with agreed evaluation criteria and therefore recommend award of contract for UASC Emotional Wellbeing Service to ACAA. Officers considered whether the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for UASC and former UASC could be provided by the Council itself, but concluded that, owing to specialist skillset and knowledge, it is best provided by a contractor.   Officers reviewed a range of procurement options, including the use of frameworks, but concluded that a tender process was the most appropriate means of procuring a contract.

Date of Decision: August 11, 2025