To undertake pre-decision scrutiny of the cabinet decision for an accommodation based support service for care leavers.

The committee considered a report from the Senior Commissioning Officer (SCO) concerning pre decision scrutiny of an accommodation based support service for care leavers. The report was presented by the SCO who explained that the proposal represented a new type of service for care leavers with complex needs. It consisted of two sites, one which offered 24 hour care to care leavers with complex needs and a second which offered a lighter touch approach for care leavers with a greater degree of independence. The age of young people would range from 16 to 25 years however it was likely that the service would provide for care leavers between the ages of 19 – 22 and in some circumstances it was recognised that 16/17 year old looked after children may need to access the service. The focus of the service was to move care leavers towards a greater level of independent living by supporting their wellbeing whilst providing skills to live independently. Partnership working was an important element of the new service and work would be undertaken to ensure that employment and educational opportunities were available to care leavers in the service. It was explained that during commissioning young people would be engaged.

The committee made the principal points below in the debate that followed:

·         The location of the accommodation was queried and whether it was situated in a residential area. The Head of Community Commissioning and Resources (HCCR) explained that it was located in a city centre location and was not in a predominantly residential area.

·         The number of care leavers currently placed outside of the county was queried and how the council ensured the suitability of accommodation. The Head of Looked After Children (HLAC) explained that she would provide a response to query concerning the numbers of children out of county following the meeting. It was explained that the council sourced placements out of the county for care leavers through a regional framework; providers included on this framework were required to meet standards to ensure that accommodation was suitable. The council also undertook visits to out of county accommodation.

·         It was queried what visitors care leavers at the facility would be able to receive. The HLAC explained that the house rules would be determined when the service had been commissioned but it was unlikely that overnight guests would be permitted. It was likely that the care leavers would be able to stay at locations away from the service on some nights if this was agreed.

·         More information was requested regarding the innovative approach of the new service and the positive responses it had received. The SCO explained that 10 responses had been received from a soft market test from providers who were excited by the prospect of a new form of service. The HCCR explained that there was a diverse market with a number of providers including charitable and voluntary organisations together with private operators. The commissioning would focus on providers’ approaches to and management of risk. Providers would need to engender confidence that they were able to manage the potential risks posed by the service.

·         It was queried how challenging behaviour of care leavers would be addressed. The HLAC explained that the behaviours of the care leavers would be dealt with on an individual basis and work would be undertaken with the young people to understand their issues and provide skills to manage their behaviours. The mix of care leavers in the facility would be monitored to attempt to reduce the likelihood of conflict. The HCCR emphasised the need to appoint the right provider that should be equipped to manage potential issues in the service.

·         It was noted that the service would provide for a small number of care leavers with complex needs and it was queried what alternative arrangements also existed for this cohort. The HLAC explained that in some cases the young people would remain with foster carers or access supported accommodation such as the supported housing for young people project (SHYPP). The HSHWC explained that work would be undertaken to develop the market including a possible local framework and dynamic purchasing system.

·         It was queried if the model could be replicated elsewhere if it was successful. The Director of Children’s Services (DCS) explained that the cabinet had asked children’s services to develop the proposal in response to the high cost of out of county placements. The effectiveness of the service would be monitored.

·         It was queried whether there would be a back log or waiting list of care leavers to access the service due to the two year period that care leavers would be resident. The HCCR explained that the provider would be required to design a pathway to enable care leavers to pass through the service and become independent in two years. It was acknowledged that young people wold not always spend two years in the service but the period was a ‘ceiling’ which providers would be required to meet. The HLAC explained that the need for facilities for care leavers was assessed by the 16+ team to ensure that there was suitable accommodation available. The ‘light touch’ flats would be available soon for young people to occupy 

·         The reference in the report to flexibility in the resourcing of the service was queried. The SCO explained that the provider would need to be responsive to the level of need of the care leavers in the service and that this level of need would fluctuate. The HCCR explained that the contract with the selected provider would need to incorporate a device to allow for such flexibility.

·         The role of partners in respect of the service was queried in particular the involvement of the health sector. The HCCR explained that it was important that the healthcare sector provided therapeutic services it was responsible for, to meet the needs of the care leavers in the service. To request that the provider undertook all health services would increase the costs of the service. The HLAC explained that the head of the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) would sit on the tender evaluation panel.

·         The committee asked when it would be able to undertake a site visit of the facility after it was completed but before occupation by care leavers. The HCCR explained that it would be completed by March 2020 when the committee would be to visit.

·         The proposal was viewed as an exciting project, which if successful could replicated in the future.

The Cabinet Member Children and Families spoke on the proposal and explained that the service offered an opportunity for care leavers with complex needs to be accommodated locally and was a positive and exciting project.

RESOLVED: That the committee:

·         supports the introduction of the accommodation based support service for care leavers;

·         supports an ongoing review of the service to determine its effectiveness and possible replication in future; and

·         requests that a site visit to the facility is arranged once completed.