This programme aims to deliver a new residential provision that will provide specialist care, education, health and wellbeing services in a safe, secure and therapeutic environment for some of London’s most vulnerable children. As part of this programme, a not-for-profit company owned by London local authorities will also be established to oversee and run the new provision in partnership with the NHS and one or more specialist providers.
Where will this provision be located?
A site in the London Borough of Waltham Forest has been identified as the most suitable location for the new service.
Who will run the proposed new service?
London local authorities will oversee and share the responsibilities of running the service via a not-for-profit company that will be wholly owned by the authorities – currently known as the Pan London Vehicle for Children’s Complex Commissioning Ltd (‘PLVCCC Ltd’ or ‘PLV’).
The aim is for PLVCCC Ltd to commission a delivery partner (specialist provider or group of providers) to run the service on its behalf and in partnership with an NHS health provider. We are currently in the very early stages of preliminary market engagement for this potential future procurement opportunity and encourage interested organisations to get in touch with us.
What is the procurement timeline for the SCH delivery partner?
We will share the procurement timeline for the SCH delivery partner once we have established the revised timeline for building construction and other key milestones.
When will the building be ready?
The building design and construction workstream for this programme is currently at the pre-planning application (pre app) stage – public pre app consultation commenced at the beginning of 2024.
In preparation for planning application submission, a great deal of work has been done to develop the building design to reflect best practice, the advice of subject matter experts and the views of those with lived experience, the local community, local planning authority and other key stakeholders.
We were planning to run a second round of consultation with the public and then submit a planning application by the end of 2024. However, the planning process was put on hold due to the need for further design development – we have also been reviewing and restructuring the programme delivery model in partnership with the Department for Education who is the main funder for this programme. We have been making these changes to give this complex programme and our future planning application the greatest chance of success.
The new target date for planning application submission and the estimated construction timeline will be published once established.
Governance
The Sponsoring Body for this programme is The Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS).
The Senior Responsible Owner is Florence Kroll, ALDCS Chair and Director of Children’s Services for the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
A multi-agency steering committee provides oversight and direction of the overall programme which is split into several workstreams.
The London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA), which is part of London Councils, is leading the delivery of the programme on behalf of ALDCS and London local authorities. The London Borough of Waltham Forest is working with LIIA / London Councils to deliver the building design and construction workstream.
This programme is accountable to the Department for Education as the main funder for this stage of delivery.