Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services and the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, and to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the proposed decision to maintain current provision by contracting with the existing providers through a single source (SSA) for 6 months, up to 31 August 2017, supporting placement stability and gradual transition of service users to new service provider/s should existing providers be unsuccessful in the tendering process.

Ms K Sharp, Head of Public Health Commissioning and Ms K Mills, Commissioning Manager (Children’s Centres), were in attendance for this item.

1.         Ms Sharp and Ms Mills introduced the report, advising that the recommendation needed to be amended, extending the contract by 12 months to 28 February 2018, instead of 6 months, 31 August 2017.  They responded to comments and questions from the Committee, as follows:

(a)  Accommodation providers worked closely with KCC’s 18+ service.  Consultation regarding location appropriateness was carried out with the Police and Districts.  The properties tended to be two or three bedroom houses, providing accommodation for a small number of young people in each location.

(b)  They were working closely with the Property team, as they had a better understanding of the property available.  The extension of existing contracts would allow more time to fully consider short and long term needs.

(c)  All care leavers received financial support and bursaries, but did not receive support with University course fees, and would be required to use student loans the same as other young people.  The issue of supporting vulnerable people’s ambitions was something for the Corporate Parenting Panel to consider.

(d)  This time next year, there would be over 1,000 care leavers, but the Property Team were assuring that there are enough properties available to fulfil needs.  KCC had a responsibility to ensure all children were placed.

(e)  Each child in care had a care plan which was reviewed regularly.  A pathway plan was then devised when the child was approaching 16, taking into consideration education or employment needs and family connections.  KCC had a duty to ensure care was focused on individual needs.

(f)   There were a high number of care leavers across the county, which would bring issues, no matter how effective the service was.

2.         RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services to re-award short-term interim contracts to deliver a Shared Accommodation Service for Children in Care and Care Leavers aged 16-21 from 1 March 2017 to 28 February 2018, and to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, or other nominated officer to implement the decision, be endorsed.