Tower Hamlets Council has approved the commissioning of a new overnight and related short breaks service for children and young people with autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and complex health needs. The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, will see two block contracts awarded for the delivery of this vital service, commencing on November 1, 2026.
This statutory service ensures that vulnerable children and young people can access activities and provides crucial respite for their families. The budget for this service has been increased to £1,393,594 annually to meet the growing demand and complexity of needs. This represents an increase from the previous budget of £1,243,048, driven by demand above existing budget levels and the need to ensure high-quality provision.
In 2024/2025, Tower Hamlets Council supported a total of 69 children and young people (CYP) with Overnight Short Breaks provision. Between 2021-2023, usage increased by almost a third and has since remained steady, confirming an ongoing need for the service. The number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Tower Hamlets schools is also rising, indicating projected increased demand.
The service is for children and young people residing in the borough of Tower Hamlets, aged between 5 to 18, who have a diagnosis of ASC and severe learning difficulties and/or complex health needs. This includes those with physical and/or severe learning difficulties. Access is not direct; an assessment must be made by the Children with Disabilities Team, as it is intended for CYP with the highest level of needs requiring a substantially enhanced care package.
The overnight and short breaks service will ensure vulnerable children and young people can access activities that are often open to non-disabled children, so that they can enjoy an ordinary life. Examples of activities offered under the current contract include arts and crafts, educational activities, cooking sessions, drama and music, as well as trips out such as to the park, cinema or sports and fitness venues.
The Cabinet also noted that the procurement process was compliant with the Procurement Act 2023, attracting interest from suitable service providers. The tender process involved a competitive evaluation based on price (30%), quality (60%), and social value (10%). Quality was assessed through eight questions covering service model, delivery, safeguarding, premises, quality assurance, specialist knowledge, service mobilisation, and lot-specific questions. Social value was assessed through outcomes and commitments.
To ensure the quality and suitability of the two awarded service providers, contract monitoring meetings will be held quarterly by service commissioners. These will include announced and unannounced visits to provider premises. Providers will also be required to report against performance and quality indicators set out within the service specification. Data received from providers will be analysed by the Contract Manager to understand trends and identify potential issues for early resolution.
This investment underscores the council's commitment to supporting families with disabled children and young people, ensuring they have access to the support they need to thrive. The full details of the commissioning can be found in the Cabinet Report, available at CS6028 Overnight and related short breaks for children and young people with autistic spectrum co.
