Decision details

During consideration of item 6 - Supported Accommodation for 16–25-year-old Children in Care and Care Leavers in the interest of openness, Councillor S Gardiner declared an interest by virtue of the fact his husband was a partner in a law firm who occasionally represented cared-for children living within Cheshire East. The firm represented the children (very occasionally parents) in care-proceedings in which the Council was a party but there was no direct commissioning or procurement by CEC of his company’s services.

The committee considered a report which provided an update on the recommissioning activity approved at committee in June and detailed the co-production with the stakeholders to shape the future service offer and next steps to conduct a formal tender to seek a best value service for Cared for Children and Care Leavers aged 16-25.

The committee asked questions and made comments in respect of:

-       Why were 16–17-year-olds without adult status being placed into supported independent living settings rather than trying to provide appropriate foster parents.

-       Concerns over planning applications where the applicant was a developer, not a care provider.

-       How was the selection of the appropriate providers ensured when planning applications were granted?

-       Project manager left in August — would the role be filled internally or externally? Would the budget available until March 2026 be used?

-       Concerns raised over £11k/week cost for a 17-year-old.

-       Had accommodation need been sufficiently modelled given rising care leaver numbers?

-       Had inflation been factored into spot purchase costs?

-       How were placements managed when children moved outside the local area, were there any reciprocal arrangements in place with other local authorities?

-       What would happen when unaccompanied asylum seeker already in the council’s system turned 18?

In response officers reported that

-       16–17-year-olds were not placed directly into independent settings, the proposal was part of a pathway to independence, aiming for tenancy readiness by age 25. The specification which had been developed had been done in collaboration with the Care Leavers Service.

-       All providers must be Ofsted-registered before contracting and accepted providers for the older group of young people must also be registered housing providers.

-       An internal officer would reprioritise tasks to take on the role. A contract start date of 1 July would allow for transition time.

-       Costs were not unusual for complex needs and there would always be a need to contract bespoke individual support packages. Exploration around a “care cube” model (similar to what had been done for adults with complex needs) was underway to challenge and manage costs.

-       Financial modelling included regional cost differences (e.g. higher costs in the north of the borough).

-       Regular dialogue with neighbouring authorities was ongoing to ensure best outcomes and avoiding risk factors.

-       Inflation considerations would be addressed in future MTFS planning.

-       Any unaccompanied asylum seekers already in the council’s care would transition to the adult housing process once they reached the age of 18.

The committee acknowledged the work of the Ignition Panel which formed part of the pathway in the process.

During debate on the item, a friendly amendment was proposed and seconded in respect of recommendation 3 which sought the inclusion of additional wording as follows:

‘Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to award the contract for the Supported Accommodation for 16–25-year-old Children in Care and Care Leavers, in consultation with the S151 & Monitoring Officers, and with the agreement of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Children & Families Committee and that any costs above the MTFS budget be reported back to the Children and Families Committee at the earliest opportunity’.

The amendment became part of the substantive motion.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Children and Families Committee

1. Approve the new service model and authorise the procurement for a new service contract for a 5-year term with a 1 + 1 year extension period.

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Service and/or equivalent authorised officer to conduct a competitive procurement exercise and enter into dialogue with the most competitive bidder, if required, issue the notice of contract award once a preferred bidder is identified.

3. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to award the contract for the Supported Accommodation for 16–25-year-old Children in Care and Care Leavers, in consultation with the S151 & Monitoring Officers, and with the agreement of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Children & Families Committee and that any costs above the MTFS budget be reported back to the Children and Families Committee at the earliest opportunity.

4. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services and/or equivalent authorised officer for contract and performance management, including all commercial assessments to oversee any contract extensions under the terms including contract performance and efficiency requirements and key performance indicators.