That the Commissioning Director, Children & Families is authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Vulnerable Families to:

1.          Conduct a competitive tender process for the award to a single supplier of a three year contract with an estimated total value of up to £950,000, with the ability to extend for a further 2 years (to a value of £598,800) for the delivery of an evidenced based service (Functional Family Therapy) designed to both prevent young people coming into care and to address the needs of troubled families.

2.        Upon conclusion of the competitive tender process to enter into a contract with the preferred provider who is evaluated as offering the Council best value for money for delivery of the services. In the event that the preferred provider for a contract is either unable or unwilling to enter into that contract with the Council then Officers are authorised to enter into such contract with the next willing highest placed suitably qualified provider.