Decision details

Proposed Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services is asked to;

Agree the adoption of the Sufficiency Strategy from 2025 to 2028, and delegate authority to review, refresh and/or make revisions to the strategy on an annual basis where changes do not require additional governance, to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education or other Officer as required by the Corporate Director.

Reason for the Decision

The publication of the Sufficiency Strategy meets the Council’s statutory duties under the Children Act 1989. Adoption of this Sufficiency Strategy allows KCC to be clear on its sufficiency duty and provide information on the service development needed for children’s social care.

Background:

The Sufficiency Strategy reflects our ambition to accommodate Kent’s children in care, on the edge of care and care leavers within the county in affordable accommodation.

If adopted, it will replace the Sufficiency Strategy 2022-27..

The Strategy is the result of extensive engagement with professionals across Integrated Children’s Services and is informed by engagement from children who use the services.

How the proposed decision supports the strategic direction of the Council 

The draft Strategic Statement “Reforming Kent 2025 to 2028” includes priorities recognising the need to work with the Home Office on the effectiveness of the National Transfer Scheme, the development of in-house Children’s Homes and make representations at national level for a revised, needs-based funding formula for children’s social care that recognises the burden from other Local Authorities placing so many of their Looked After Children into Kent which aligns with the Sufficiency Strategy.

Financial Implications:

Finding ways to manage the Councils financial pressure, whilst still maintaining good outcomes for children and young people, is an essential part of supporting the Council’s financial sustainability. The Sufficiency Strategy looks at ways that we can improve sufficiency which will support the Council with managing this financial pressure and achieving the best outcomes for our children and young people.

The total budget for looked after children's placements in 2024/25 was £105m and was overspent by £3m.  Responding to the trend in increasing costs of placements, the Council has responded and invested further funding, increasing the budget to £117m in 2025/26, although the initial forecast is still indicating a possible overspend of £6.5m.

These activities and services are already funded. The Strategy does not, therefore, represent either a direct financial cost or saving, however is part of the foundations required to frame the activity needed to deliver overall savings and improve quality. 

Any activity arising from the Sufficiency Strategy that constitutes a Key Decision will be subject to the Council’s established governance processes.

Legal Implications:

The Council has a statutory duty to provide suitable and safe accommodation with the right level of support for Children in Care (including UAS Children) in accordance with the Children’s Act 1989.

The Sufficiency Duty (Section 22G of the Children Act 1989) requires Local Authorities, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation to meet the needs of those children they have a Corporate Parenting responsibility for within their Local Authority area.

The Council must provide Care Leavers (including former UAS Children) with support and financial support to assist in promoting their welfare, especially in relation to maintain suitable accommodation and helping them access education, training, and employment.

The Council must comply with s.149 of the Equality Act 2010.  It is an “have regard to” duty for Councils when exercising their functions, to”… eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation…advance equality of opportunity… and foster good relations…”

The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services is asked to agree to:

a)    Adopt the Sufficiency Strategy from 2025 to 2028, and

b)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education or other Officer as required by the Corporate Director to review the Sufficiency Strategy on an annual basis and make revisions to the strategy where changes do not require additional governance.