Decision details

In order to comply with Provider Selection Regime regulations and award a contract for the Healthy Child Programme 0 to 5 service.

To award a contract from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 for the Healthy Child Programme services funded from the ring-fenced Public Health Grant, comprised of:
• 0 to 5 Health Visiting Service provided by East Sussex Healthcare Trust - total value for a 1+1-year contract is £15,358,626.
• Early Help Services provided by East Sussex County Council Children’s Services - total value for a 1+1-year contract is £1,783,000.

There is potentially a small amount of additional funding from the Integrated Care Board Better Care Fund to support the 0 to 5 Health Visiting Service.

This contract falls under the Provider Selection Regime.

Option of procuring under a different section of Provider Selection Regime regulations was considered, but rejected due to the value of the contract.

The preferred option allows sufficient time for the:
• Completion of a 0-5 health needs assessment
• Completion of an Equalities Impact Assessment informed by the health needs assessment
• Modification of the service specification to reflect changing population need and national policy and priorities such as Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy Giving every child the best start in life
• Refresh and future proof governance arrangements that reflect the changing NHS and Local Authority landscape and to align with new procurement regulations.