To approve the development of a local framework for supported accommodation for care leavers.

The cabinet member children and families introduced the report. She highlighted typographical errors in the recommendations in the report which were noted and corrected. The cabinet member noted that as a result of the feedback received from the children and young people scrutiny committee the launch of the proposed framework would be more gradual.

The head of community commissioning and resources presented the report. He highlighted that the proposed new framework would be part of a wider range of provision for care leavers. Although the new framework would take time to introduce and there was no guarantee as to how it would work in the market it was hoped that it would have a positive impact on both quality and price.

In discussion of the report cabinet members noted that:

•               The current framework was often not able to supply the required accommodation resulting in ad hoc arrangements so while there was no certainty that the new approach would increase capacity it was considered worthwhile to try and stimulate the local market;

•               The council was also working to source its own accommodation and in the longer term would not rely on the framework for accommodation but more for the support services;

•               The council already worked with local suppliers and hoped to provide more business to local companies, although it was noted that local charities and voluntary organisations might need help to understand how they could work with the council;

•               The increased in county supply would allow young people more opportunity to remain in the county if that is what they wanted.

Group leaders were invited to give the comments and queries of their groups. The proposals were welcomed and it was noted that:

•               There was disappointment that social housing providers seemed increasingly reluctant to provide this kind of support although there were signs of greater interest;

•               There might be situations where an out of county placement was appropriate but this should be a choice and increasing in county options would reduce reliance on out county providers;

•               The framework would cater for young people with a range of needs, including some providers who can support those with complex needs.

In the concluding discussion it was proposed that reference to ‘looked after children’ in recommendation (a) be amended to ‘care experienced’, in line with agreed new terminology.

(Recommended by the cabinet member environment, economy and skills, seconded by the cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets)

It was resolved that:

(a)          a local framework be established for arranging and purchasing support and accommodation for care leavers and 16 plus care experienced children; and

(b)          confirmation of the detailed terms and operating arrangements for the framework to be approved by the director for children and families, in consultation with the cabinet member for children and families.