Reason(s) for decision:
To explore how the Family Hubs model could work in Kent. This work will look at how and where services are delivered: virtual, through outreach, and/or face-to-face, to support our vulnerable families in their own communities.
Prior to any implementation or delivery of Family Hubs, detailed proposals will be subject to further decision-making but a Strategic Policy decision to adopt the principle of developing a Family Hub Model for Kent is required at this stage to adhere to relevant deadlines from the DfE to be considered as Family Hub Transformation Authority.
How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026:
The Council’s Strategic Reset Programme has set new Council wide ambitions and aims for how the Council will operate in the future. Aligned to the Strategic Reset Programme and the Strategic Statement “Framing Kent’s Future”, the Family Hub Model aims to achieve:
· A more targeted open access offer
· An enhanced digital offer across universal provision
· More productive and efficient ways of working using technology and digital solutions
· A greater quality of experience for service users, residents, and staff, informed by a more in depth understanding of what communities need and managing the demand facing the council
· The best use of our data, assets, and trading companies. Value for money
· A potential reduction in overall assets within Kent County Council
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 14/10/2022
This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.
Reason for urgency:
KCC has been exploring scope for shifting to a Family Hubs as an Authority to improve the delivery of Open Access services following the Government Launch of the Family Hubs programme in November 2021.
KCC engaged with the Family Hubs Framework in August 2022 which included an application to be a Transformation Authority – the confirmation that KCC had been selected as a Transformation Authority has now been received and agreement to progression to the transformation stage is required to access relevant funding. This agreement from KCC is required within a much shorter timeframe than was anticipated. It is therefore not possible for this decision to comply with normal Executive Decision notice periods, hence the use of Special Urgency.
Decision due: 14 Nov 2022 by Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services
Lead director: Stuart Collins
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Consultees
No Cabinet Committee consultation possible due to the urgency process. A report setting out the reasons for urgency will be presented to the next Children’s, Young people and Education Cabinet Committee on 29th November and to the next Health Reform and Public Health Cabinet Committee on 23rd November.
Feedback from the Chair and Spokespeople of Scrutiny Committee, along with the Chair and Spokespeople of both the Children’s, Young people and Education Cabinet Committee and Health Reform and Public Health Cabinet Committee are documented within the Record of Decision.
Financial implications: Access to national grants up to £10m over 3 years will be dependent on the specific proposals developed. Further financial due diligence will be undertaken at the proposal development stage, which will be subject to further decision-making.
Legal implications: This decision includes the entering into a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the DfE which creates obligations to progress with transformation scoping and proposal development to support Kent becoming a Family Hub Authority. Access to the associated funding of up to £10m, depending on the type and level of transformation activity eventually progressed, is conditional on compliance with the terms of the MOU and demonstration of progress toward an effective Family Hub Model.
Equalities implications: Assessment at strategic level regarding implementation of the Family Hub model do not have any negative implications (further details contained in appended EQIA). The Transformation activity will be reliant on the feedback from parents and carers to help shape the services with all detailed proposals being subject to further engagement and formal decision-making (which will be informed by a separate updated EqIA).