Decision details

The meeting resumed at 1:45pm.

Councillor M Gorman and Councillor B Wye left the meeting during consideration of this item and did not return.

The committee considered the report which outlined the project’s purpose, intended outcomes, and business case for Cheshire East implementing a Local House Project as part of its leaving care offer, and sought approval for a total investment of £351,827 to be invested in the on-going base budget. This was on the basis that downstream net savings of between £95,270 and £294,472 (increasing to £168,935 and £368,637 from cohort 2) could be achieved per annum per cohort, whilst also offering improved outcomes to the Council’s cared for children and care leavers.

The proposal aimed to support up to 10-12 care leavers per year to develop the skills, confidence, and stability needed to live independently in their own tenancies.

Members were informed that the project provided intensive support over approximately nine months, focusing on independent?living skills, education, employment, mental health and well?being, and the development of peer community networks.  Young people would then move into their own permanent tenancies, with ongoing access to a local hub for continued support.  Nationally, the programme had delivered strong outcomes, including high tenancy?sustainment rates.

The business case projected a return on investment of £2.33 for every £1 spent, based on reduced placement costs and improved long?term outcomes.  Governance proposals included establishing a steering group, recruitment of a dedicated project team, and close partnership work with strategic housing and registered providers.  Key risks identified included workforce recruitment and the availability of suitable housing, both of which would be actively managed through the project’s risk framework.

The committee asked questions and made comments in respect of:

• The suitability of the model within a geographically dispersed authority.
• Experience of other neighbouring local authorities and housing providers.
• Managing transition between services for young people.
• Cost-benefit assumptions/projections and the cohort mix.
• Wraparound support, education links and long?term contact for young people.
• Potential duplication with other supported accommodation programmes.
• Engagement with housing providers and risks associated with property availability.
• Housing allocation policies and how permanent tenancies would be secured.
• Consideration was given to the timeliness of this report in terms of other work to be carried out.

In response, officers reported that:

• The programme was deliverable across Cheshire East with successful identification of the cohort of young people, the properties available to them and appropriate partnership arrangements, particularly with Strategic Housing colleagues.
• The project started in Stoke-on-Trent ten years ago; 30 local authorities were delivering the programme nationally.  It was very much bespoke to the cohort.
• Engagement with housing providers began in 2024 and further meetings were planned – the matter of other local authorities would be raised with them.
• Young people would retain ongoing access to a local hub in Cheshire East as part of wraparound support.  It was anticipated that this would be up to age 24-25 years.
• The project targeted a distinct cohort with more intensive needs and complimented, not duplicated, existing services.
• Savings reflected realistic scenarios based on mixed cohorts.
• Care Leavers already received priority through the allocations policy, and properties would be identified in parallel with the programme lead?in time.
• Housing supply risks existed regardless of the project but were being proactively managed.

RESOLVED (By Majority):

That the Children and Families Committee

1.    Approve the implementation of the NHP to provide structured support for care leavers in Cheshire East.

2.    Approve the investment to pump prime the costs of the first cohort and ensure projects sustainability at a cost of £351,827.

3.    Note the proposed governance and oversight to ensure delivery and sustainability.