Decision details

The existing IT contract ends in April 2015. Market developments mean that a new system would offer considerable advantages and efficiencies. The proposal seeks the agreement of the Cabinet members for a strategy to finance and procure a new system.

The Cabinet members agreed to fully approve the capital funding of the procurement of a new IT/data system for Children’s Social Care Services

The current system will shortly be out of contract and the suppliers have indicated that they will no longer develop the software.

The decision will ensure that Children’s Social Care have a high-quality, modern IT system which meets the requirements and enables us to support the most vulnerable children and families effectively.

Since 2003 there have been significant changes in the requirements of Children’s social care and the context in which the service operates with the Council has changed substantially with adult social care and health services now being delivered by Sirona. New legislation in the Care Bill affecting Adult Services and the forthcoming requirement to have an integrated Adult/Health system based upon the unique NHS number means that a shared system no longer, therefore, meets our divergent requirements.  We need a child-centric system to support the changes in our ways of working and to deliver the best possible service to our vulnerable families.  Consideration was given of joining with another local authority to share their existing IT system. However this option is not possible under current contractual arrangements and we would need to adopt the processes and working practices of the other authority which would restrict our flexibility in delivering support and services in a way that is tailored to our residents’ needs.