URL: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2670

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Education & Skills

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To ratify the Executive Director of Children’s Services’ decision to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Education to accept revised Best Start Family Hubs grant funding, and to delegate authority for approval of delivery arrangements for the programme.

Content: That the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills rejects the alternative options and takes the recommended decision to:   1.    Ratify the decisions taken by the Executive Director of Children’s Services, under delegated authority, to: a.    Approve the Council’s acceptance of, and entry into, the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Education (DfE) in respect of the Best Start in Life (BSiL) Delivery Grant, totalling £5,467,300 for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, in support of the Council’s wider Best Start in Life ambitions to improve early childhood outcomes, school readiness, and educational attainment. Note: Cabinet approved acceptance of £3,649,600 BSiL Delivery Grant funding in February 2026; the total funding now available is therefore £1,817,700 greater than the sum originally approved. b.    Approve the allocation of the BSiL Delivery Grant funding in accordance with the nationally published programme framework, ensuring that expenditure aligns with the Department for Education’s requirements and delivery expectations. This includes supporting the delivery of a coherent, high-quality early years and education system, strengthening integrated pathways across education, health and care, and improving outcomes for children and families through: ·       Programme Delivery funding of £1,578,800, for the purposes described in paragraph 1 within the ‘background’ section of this report. Note: Cabinet originally approved £1,579,300 in February 2026; this allocation is therefore £500 less than the sum originally approved. ·       Capital Funding of £363,600 for the purpose detailed in paragraph 2 within the background section of this report. As well as delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to implement and manage the agreed programme of spend, including making any necessary operational decisions required to give effect to Recommendation 1, within the overall funding envelope and purposes set out in this report. Note: Cabinet originally approved £363,700 in February 2026, hence this is-£100 less than the sum approved by Cabinet originally. ·       Parenting Support of £675,800 for the purpose detailed in paragraph 4 within the background section of this report. As well as delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to implement and manage the agreed programme of spend, including making any necessary operational decisions required to give effect to Recommendation 1, within the overall funding envelope and purposes set out in this report. Note: Cabinet originally approved £676,000 in February 2026; difference of £200. ·       Home learning environment support of £1,030,300 for the purpose detailed in paragraph 5 within the background section of this report. As well as delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to implement and manage the agreed programme of spend, including making any necessary operational decisions required to give effect to Recommendation 1, within the overall funding envelope and purposes set out in this report. Note: Cabinet originally approved £1,030,600 in February 2026; difference of £300. ·       Children with Additional Needs funding of £1,788,700 for the purpose detailed in paragraph 6 within the background section of this report. As well as delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to implement and manage the agreed programme of spend, including making any necessary operational decisions required to give effect to Recommendation 1, within the overall funding envelope and purposes set out in this report. Note: this is new allocated funding, hence it was not the subject of an earlier Cabinet decision ·       Local authority facilitated Early Years Foundation Stage profile assessment support - £32,800 (new allocated funding) Note: this is new allocated funding, hence it was not the subject of an earlier Cabinet decision.   2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to: a.    Implement the above programme of spend, including determining and approving the detailed delivery arrangements required to deliver the Best Start in Life programme ensuring alignment with the Council’s wider education, early years and school readiness priorities; b.    Take all necessary operational and financial decisions to ensure that the programme is delivered in accordance with the Department for Education’s grant conditions, the Memorandum of Understanding and the nationally prescribed programme framework including those relating to education improvement, early years quality, and integrated multi-agency delivery c.     Make any minor amendments to the allocation of funding between approved budget headings, where required for effective programme delivery, provided that such amendments remain within the overall approved grant allocation. d.    Develop, approve and publish a Best Start in Life local delivery plan and allocate grant funding to improve early outcomes, reduce inequalities, and enhance education and school readiness through a coordinated, partnership-based approach across education, health and care, and allocate grant funding accordingly for the period April 2026 to March 2029; e.    Determine whether services should be delivered by Gloucestershire County Council or procured from third-party providers and, where appropriate, procure and award contracts to support delivery of a high-quality, integrated early years and family support system. Where the value of any individual contract exceeds £500,000, a further Cabinet or Individual Cabinet Member decision will be sought; f.      Review the Best Start in Life local delivery plan on an annual basis, ensuring that delivery reflects evolving local need, revised evidence and updated needs assessments, with a continued focus on improving early learning, development and educational outcomes.   For the reasons set out in the report.

Date of Decision: June 24, 2026