URL: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1559

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To approve the variation of the Southend Treatment and Recovery Service Contract to provide additional grant funding in 2026-27 to support the delivery of the National Drug Strategy.

Content: To approve the variation of the Southend Treatment and Recovery Service Contract to provide additional grant funding in 2026-27 to support the delivery of the National Drug Strategy. 1. That the contract variation to the contract with Forward Trust to increase the total annual funding for the Southend Treatment and Recovery Service (STARS) contract by £1,096,022 in 2026/27, be approved.   2, That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) to undertake all necessary actions including finalising the terms of the contract and entering into the agreement. 1. The contract for the Southend Treatment and Recovery Service was awarded to Forward Trust on 1st April 2022, expiring on 31st March 2027, with the option to extend until 31st March 2032. Since then, the contract has been varied each year to specify additional funds that will be made available to the treatment service and to include additional requirements associated with this supplementary grant funding.   2. The contract for the Southend Treatment and Recovery Service was awarded to Forward Trust on 1st April 2022, expiring on 31st March 2027, with the option to extend until 31st March 2032. Since then, the contract has been varied each year to specify additional funds that will be made available to the treatment service and to include additional requirements associated with this supplementary grant funding.   1. Do nothing - If the Council does not approve this contract variation, there will be significant challenges in meeting the requirements of the grant funding and ambitions agreed with OHID around increasing treatment capacity and quality. There would also be significant risks to current service delivery, as the additional roles funded over the past 4 years will not be able to be delivered without the provision of this additional grant funding, risking a destablilisation of the service. By not utilizing this additional grant funding, the Council would miss an opportunity to uphold its statutory public health duty to improve population health and meet the ambitions of various national, regional and local strategies.    2. Conduct a procurement exercise to enable other providers to bid for the funding Forward Trust currently provides a comprehensive and integrated treatment and recovery service for people requiring support with their drug and/ or alcohol use. This includes an integrated team of specialist staff who can deliver a range of interventions and treatment options such as psychosocial, pharmacological and psychological approaches, as well as clinical management and recovery support through a range of mutual aid interventions. Procuring a separate organization to deliver the proposed roles is not recommended, as the Forward Trust already has a well-established team who work together to ensure efficient and effective use of resources and skills, ensuring the full range of interventions can be made available to the client as part of their treatment plan. It would also come with additional cost implications to ensure a robust management structure and clinical governance/ supervision is in place for the staff occupying the proposed roles. 

Date of Decision: May 26, 2026