Issue - meetings

    Report by Executive Director Terence Herbert.

Cllr Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, presented a report providing proposals for the recommissioning of accommodation and support for care leavers and other vulnerable people, whose needs cannot be met in supported housing provision.

Cllr Church explained that majority of accommodation and support packages for care leavers were sourced through a regional framework, led by South Gloucestershire Council.  Only two of the providers had a Wiltshire presence, meaning too many young people were being placed outside of Wiltshire, where it was more challenging to provide support they needed. It was noted that Framework placements were also significantly more expensive than block packages, causing additional pressures on the placement budget.

Resolved:

1. That approval be granted to commission a 25-bed block contract capacity for vulnerable young people.

2. That further decisions about the length and specifics of the contract(s) be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children, Education and Skills.

3. That an opportunity to commission the contract(s) in partnership with Swindon Borough Council be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children, Education and Skills.

Reason for Decision:

The purpose of this proposal is to increase the availability and quality of

accommodation and support for care leavers and homeless 16-17 year olds,

within Wiltshire. It is also designed to reduce unnecessary spend on post-16

placements.