URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5544

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet received a report of the Director of Public Health that was seeking approval to enact an option to extend the contract for the Young People’s Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Service by a period of two years, from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028, as per the provision made in the original award of the contract for the delivery of the service.   The Cabinet was informed that having a high functioning sexual health and substance misuse offer for young people was an essential component of the range of activity required to achieve better health amongst the general population and to reduce demand on health and social care services. As per Public Health funding conditions and mandated responsibilities, we are required to deliver drug and alcohol services and ensure access to sexual health services for young people.   In January 2021, the contract for the provision of Young People’s Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Service was awarded to Early Break (in partnership with HCRG Care Group and The Proud Trust) for an initial period of three years (from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2024) with an option to extend for a further period of two years plus two years dependent on performance, achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs), continued funding and local need. A contract extension of two years was subsequently approved for 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2026.   The provider had been delivering the service to the requirements, as set out in the specification and meeting the specified performance requirements. They had received positive feedback from service users and professional partners.   It was proposed that the cabinet approve the option to extend the contract with the current provider by a final two years (up until 31st March 2028) to ensure the continuation of high-quality service provision for our local young people. The total value of the proposed two-year extension would be £940,500 (£470, 250 per year).   Options/Alternatives considered: Option 1: To enact the provision to extend the current contract for a period of 2 years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028 (to complete a total contract length of 7 years). Option 2: To extend the current contract by three months from 1st April 2026 to 30th June 2026, to allow for a competitive tendering process to be undertaken. Option 3: To not extend the current contract or conduct a further tendering exercise and no longer have a specific young people’s sexual health and substance misuse service but instead combine these elements into existing adults’/all age provision. Option 1 was the preferred Option.   Resolved: That the Cabinet agrees to the proposal, detailed in the submitted report, to enact the provision to extend the current contract for a period of two years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028. This would ensure that there was continued delivery of drug and alcohol services and ensure continued access to sexual health services for young people in the borough, in line with the Council’s public health funding conditions and mandated responsibilities.

Date of Decision: September 22, 2025