Decision Reference Number: WPCC4-0047
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 20/02/2025
Publication: Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Status: Non-confidential
If partially-confidential or confidential please detail the FOI exemption applied and specify which parts are confidential:
Decision summary:
This decision notice seeks support for the acceptance of Family First funding from Warwickshire County Council, and the onward allocation of that funding to enhance the provision of child exploitation support services in Warwickshire in 2025/26.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: P. Seccombe
Date: 28/02/25
Supporting information
1. Background information: why do we need to make this decision?
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) children service manager and OPCC Finance and Commissioning staff have been in discussion regarding the possible award of funding to the PCC to deliver enhanced child exploitation support services in 2025/26.
2025/26 will be the final year of the current Child exploitation support service contract with Barnardo’s, held by the PCC. There is an option to extend the contract beyond 2025/26 for two further years, but no decision has yet been made regarding that position.
The PCC contract requires Barnardo’s staff to co locate and collaborate with WCC children services staff, and use the same IT systems, to ensure a joined up approach. The vast majority of referrals into the support services are via Children services. A close and strong working relationship has been developed over the last two years.
Due to uncertainty regarding future funding levels, a step down in funding for the PCC contract was anticipated for 2025/26. However, WCC wish to award the PCC £104,000 of family first funding for 2025/26, which will be utilised alongside some unspent PCC funding from previous years on the contract to maintain and enhance services in 2025/26. The funding will be used to fund 2 exploitation workers and also maintain a part time family support worker. The £104,000 funding will be passported to Barnardo’s in full for 2025/26.
The allocation to Barnardo’s will be based on the receipt of funding by the PCC, and a partnership agreement is being prepared to outline the governance arrangements between the two organisations.
Barnardo’s will receive a contract variation for the Family First funding from the PCC., as part of their agreement they will be required to confirm that the WCC conditions for spending can be met. Barnardo’s will also be required to complete performance monitoring returns and continue to partake in the quarterly contract monitoring arrangements.
2. What additional documents are relied upon? Please provide a link or separate attachments.
None
3. What benefits will this bring, including financial, social or environmental benefits?
The additional funding will ensure that services can be sustained and enhanced under the current contract.
4. What is the impact of not approving the application?
The current service would result in a reduction in service and personnel. This would mean that fewer victims of child exploitation or child sexual exploitation could be supported.
5. How much will it cost? (please provide cost breakdown, including any identified savings, and include where they have been approved)
£104,000 of Family First funding from WCC will be awarded to Barnardos through a contract variation to support additional personnel to deliver support services in Warwickshire. Barnardo’s have also ringfenced circa £42,000 of PCC funding from unspent previous year’s awards. This funding is earmarked to support any costs above the Family First funding to secure the enhancement in services in 2025/26 where required.
6. Who has been consulted on this proposal?
PCC, DPCC, WCC children’s services lead, and commissioning staff, Barnardo’s contract manager and contract director, Warwickshire Police contract and procurement staff, legal officers working on behalf of WCC children’s services and the OPCC, OPCC Chief Executive and managers, and other OPCC commissioning and policy staff.
7. Will this decision have an impact on any specific individuals or groups or communities?
The service is specifically to support children and young people.
8. Does this decision have legal implications? Has legal advice been sought?
Legal support has been sought and is being used to support the development of the partnership agreement with WCC. Legal, contract and procurement advice has also been sought to ensure that the contract variation is undertaken compliantly.
Comments from the Chief Finance Officer
The securing of Family First funding for 2025/26 from WCC will help to ensure that support services for vulnerable child victims can be maintained and enhanced. The current PCC contract with Barnardo’s is performing well and the additional resources will enable more victims to be supported. WCC children’s services and Barnardo’s staff work closely together. They are co located and use the same IT systems. This relationship will help to increase referrals into the service and more victims will be supported across the county. The costs and expectations of the service have been fully discussed with Barnardos, and the partnership agreement with WCC outlines the governance arrangements fully. The funding is for 2025/26 only.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This arrangement makes best use of partnership resources to benefit children and young people in Warwickshire.
