The Head of Children’s Social Care sought authority to enter into an Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA) with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council (RCT) and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (Merthyr) to manage and oversee the commission of a Cwm Taf regional service for an Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA) and Independent Visiting (IV) service for eligible Children and Young People.

The Head of Children’s Social Care reported that the Council has a statutory duty to provide an Independent Professional Advocacy Service for eligible Children and Young People, notably Looked After Children, Children in Need and those in Child Protection.  She stated that the Welsh Government has established a ‘National Approach’ to Children’s Advocacy based on regional commissioning, the provision of an Active Offer of advocacy for eligible CYP, and an option to include a complimentary Independent Visiting service.  To remain compliant, the CYP Advocacy Service required a change in regional commissioning from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board to Cwm Taf University Health Board.  She stated that Cwm Taf, is currently receiving a service from National Youth Advocacy Service as their provider and are re-tendering for this service to start from April 2019.  The proposal is for a regional IAA with joint procurement of services starting from 1st April 201with RCT acting as Lead Authority for the regional procurement exercise, with BCBC officers participating in the tender process and evaluation panel.   

The Leader welcomed the inclusion of the Independent Visiting Service for

children in the procurement exercise. 

RESOLVED:           That Cabinet approved the proposal to enter into an Inter-Authority Agreement with RCT and Merthyr, and noted that approval to award the regional Independent Professional Advocacy and Independent Visiting service contract will be sought via Delegated Powers (under BCBC’s Scheme of Delegation) once the procurement and evaluation process has been undertaken.