Decision details

To consider a report about how a new Supported Employment Programme (“Ability Slough”) grant will help residents with a disability access and/or remain in employment.  Ability Slough is funded from a Department of Work and Pensions “Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care” (IPSPC) grant until March 2025.

a)  Accepted the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care grant from Department of Work and Pensions.  The total grant award is £4,585,252.31 (for the two financial years of the grant, with delivery period July 2023 to March 2025).

b)  Agreed to the delivery of the Supported Employment Programme (Ability Slough) funded by the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care grant (Department of Work and Pensions) as outlined in Appendix 1.

c)  Delegated authority to the Executive Director Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Director Adult Services and the Lead Member (Education and Children's Services), to procure a provider for delivery of the programme and award a contract to the successful bidder.

d)  Accepted the Individual Placement and Support (Substance Use) (IPSSU) grant from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) of £805,834 for a delivery period of 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026 across all six Berkshire local authorities. (Figures exclude an uplift for 2025/26 to be advised by OHID

e)  Agreed that Slough Borough Council should be the lead authority for the IPSSU grant and delegate authority to the Executive Director Children’s Services, in consultation with the Lead Member (Education and Children’s), to enter into an inter authority agreement with the other Berkshire local authorities.