Healthy Child Programme (0-19 years)

The following individuals participated in, the award decision:

• Julie Graham, Public Health Principal
• Jane Harvey, Public Health Consultant
• Dave Bradburn, Director of Public Health (the decision maker)

Conflicts of Interest

In accordance with the Provider Selection Regime and the Council's governance arrangements, all individuals involved in the consideration, assessment and award decision were required to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

No actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest were declared by any individual involved in the decision-making process. Consequently, no conflict management or mitigation measures were required, and the award decision was reached objectively, transparently, and in accordance with the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

Justification for Service Specification

The Authority has reviewed the proposed service specification and confirms that:

• There are no material changes to the scope, nature, or delivery model of the current service.
• Amendments incorporated within the revised specification reflect updates arising from the revised Healthy Child Programme guidance issued during 2026.
• The updates provide additional clarity and transparency regarding existing service requirements and expectations and do not fundamentally alter service delivery.
• The proposed contract therefore represents a continuation of the existing service model rather than the introduction of a materially different service requirement.

Justification for Direct Award Process C

The Contracting Authority has determined that Direct Award Process C is the appropriate procurement route for this service.

The 0-19 Healthy Child Programme is a statutory public health service delivered to all children and young people aged 0-19 years (and up to 25 years for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities where applicable). Continuity, integration and established partnership working are critical to achieving the required public health outcomes.

The current provider, Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHCT), whose principal place of business is at St Catherine's Health Centre, Derby Road, Birkenhead, CH42 0LQ has demonstrated that it is satisfactorily delivering the existing contract and is likely to satisfy the requirements of the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.

In reaching this conclusion, the Authority has considered that the provider:

• Has a proven and established track record of delivering the Healthy Child Programme in accordance with national and local requirements.
• Demonstrates the required capability, capacity, workforce expertise and infrastructure to continue delivering high-quality services.
• Maintains well-established and effective integration with local health, education, safeguarding, early help and wider community services.
• Supports continuity of care and trusted relationships with children, young people and families.
• Contributes to service sustainability and system-wide collaboration across Cheshire and Merseyside.
• Possesses significant specialist expertise through delivery of Healthy Child Programmes across the wider region.

The Authority also notes that there is a limited provider market with the capability and infrastructure necessary to deliver this specialist public health service at the required scale and quality. Furthermore, the existing contractual and system arrangements support effective integrated delivery through an NHS provider model.

Compliance with PSR Requirements

The Authority has undertaken a robust and proportionate assessment in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and relevant statutory guidance.

The assessment considered and evidenced compliance by WCHCT with the following Key Criteria

• Quality and innovation.
• Value for money.
• Integration, collaboration and service sustainability.
• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating patient and service user choice.
• Social value.
• And compliance with the following Basic Selection Criteria
• Suitability to deliver the service
• Economic and financial standing
• Technical and professional ability

The Authority is satisfied that:

• The incumbent provider is meeting the requirements of the existing contract.
• The incumbent provider is likely to satisfy the requirements of the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.
• The award represents the most appropriate arrangement for securing high-quality, integrated, sustainable and accessible services for children, young people and families within Wirral.

Accordingly, the Authority intends to award the contract to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust under Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C following completion of the standstill period, subject to consideration of any representations received.