Issue details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Social Care seeking authority to accept funds should the bid be successful, commence a procurement process and to delegate authority to the Director Quality and Integration to award the contract following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Social Care and Service Director Legal and Governance.

HeadStart is a BIG Lottery funded programme. It is a multi-agency project that aims to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of 10-16 year olds who are at risk of developing mental health problems. It has 3 phases: 1) development (complete), 2) pilot delivery (current) and 3) a large bid for between £5 - £10m over 5 years (submission due 26 February 2016). Southampton is 1 of 12 HeadStart areas in England. Only those currently delivering phase 2 are eligible to bid for stage 3. This presents a significant opportunity for the City, with a focus on early intervention and the key principles and proposed outcomes support the Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority of ‘Best Start in Life’. In addition, the universal support model will help reduce pressure on acute health and care services in the future, whilst signposting those who need it to more specialist support.