Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Children Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families.

This report is requesting approval of the spend to recommission Supported Accommodation via DPS  Axian system with the intention of  block arrangement via individual call offs with local providers

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families introduced the report. It was explained that, as a Corporate Parent, the Council had a statutory duty to ensure sufficiency of accommodation the most vulnerable children and young people. It was explained that the Commissioning this accommodation would ensure the Council is meeting its duties. It was noted that the service would continue to be monitoring and quality assuring providers to ensure the accommodation is of a high standard where children and young people can be supported to prepare for independence. It was stressed that children and young people needed to be supported to maintain relationships and local connections within the Haringey community and ensuring accommodation is within 20-mile radius of the Borough where possible.

• It was explained that there were higher numbers of more complex cases which were being reported, as well as an increased demand from providers, which increased the costs.
• It was explained that authority to sign off individual call-offs had been delegated to Director of Children’s Services as a result of financial regulations and that the authority, below a certain threshold, would be delegated to officers.
• Officers noted that, on some occasions, young people may consider that their accommodation was not acceptable, but that it did meet with the statutory requirements. However, Cabinet Members stressed that it was important that young people were consulted to ensure that they had the best experience. It was additionally noted that young people were involved in quality assurance checks.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the estimated spend of up to £27.2 million over a period of 4 years via the corporate Dynamic Purchasing System

2.     Approved the commencement to procure supported accommodation for 16 and 17 years and 18 plus Pursuant to Regulation 34 of the Public Contract Regulation.

3.      That, where contracts value £500,000 and above require approval by Cabinet as per Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1 d) or modified as per CSO 10.02.1 b) (variations and extensions to contracts with value of £500,000 and above, that Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Children Services in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s, Schools and families to award, vary or extend any individual call offs or block contract arrangements under the DPS to successful providers up to £2 million per award or any individual variation and extension.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and the Children Leaving Care Act 2000, local authorities have a duty to assess and meet the needs of young people aged 16+ and 18+ who are in care or care leavers. Wherever the young person lives, the duty will rest with the parent local authority to stay connected with care leavers until they are at least 21 (in some instances this is extended to age 25). The local authority has a statutory duty to ensure that every looked after child and care leaver is properly prepared in making the transition to adulthood in a planned and effective way to achieve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113