Issue - meetings

To consider the report on children’s residential provision in Cheshire East.

The committee received the report which outlined the Council’s current pressures relating to placements for cared for children and sought approval on recommendations relating to the development of Council-run provision in order to improve young people’s outcomes, alongside increasing placement options, capacity to meet current and future demand and provide better value for money.

RESOLVED  (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Approve the planned transition of 2 (independent and Ofsted registered) children’s homes currently commissioned in Crewe and Macclesfield to  become Cheshire East Council-run provision during 2023, following a recent decision of mutual termination with the commissioned organisation.

2.    Approve the development of one further 3 bed (2 medium term beds + 1 emergency bed) council-run children’s home in the first instance, for development and go-live by the end of February 2024.

3.    Note the intention to develop at least one further council-run children’s home (in line with the No Wrong Door framework if possible-see background documents), by the end of the 2025 calendar year, pending successful implementation of 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 and positive proof of concept.