Decision details

The report provides recommendations which will deliver better outcomes for Children in Care by reducing the number of Out of Area (OOA) placements and Independent Fostering Agencies and by increasing residential sufficiency within the City.

The report provides four options to respond to the needs of Children in Care identified through a gap analysis. The different cost implications and analysis of each option are outlined in the paper.

The options have been identified as part of the overall Children Service’s Placement Review.

[See also under Part B]

Resolved:  (i)      That Option 3, which is within the existing revenue budget, be approved.

(ii)      That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, Children, Education & Communities (CEC) to purchase the individual properties required for service delivery within the agreed capital budget.

(iii)     That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director CEC to grant, and agree the terms of, a lease of any purchased properties to the council’s appointed service providers.

Reason:     In order to develop the city’s residential provision for children in care and ensure that the council meets its statutory sufficiency duty.