Agenda item

      Report of the Corporate Director, People.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills presented a report outlining proposals to commission an Ofsted registered provider to operate supported accommodation for care leavers and unaccompanied asylum seekers and complex residential accommodation.

The Deputy Leader explained that these would be commissioned via a tender exercise through two separate tenders. Firstly, supported accommodation for care leavers and unaccompanied young people seeking asylum and secondly for residential accommodation for children and young people with complex needs. She reminded Cabinet that Full Council in February 2024 approved capital investment of £10.560m providing housing for 68 care experienced and asylum seeking young people and £1.6m providing children’s residential homes for children with complex needs in Wiltshire.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed the proposals and asked about the capital costs associated with the purchase of properties and reducing revenue costs. Officers confirmed that costs would be easier to control with placements being local to Wiltshire and the provision of wrap around support.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Chair of the Children’s Select Committee, reported that he and Cllr Johnny Kidney, Vice-Chair of the Children’s Select Committee received a briefing on 1 May 2024. They welcomed the opportunity to be briefed and supported the proposals before Cabinet. Cllr Hubbard highlighted one issue of concern relating to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) funding not being confirmed at the time of the briefing. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the project was not dependent on CAMHS funding. However, the Council is working with CAMHS on how the Council provide support to highest level for these projects, and they have been fully engaged in the process to date.

Resolved:

To approve:

1.    To undertake a procurement exercise to go out to tender and commission an external Ofsted registered provider to operate services for supported accommodation. The contract length will be 5 years with the option to extend for a further 5 years.

2.    To undertake a procurement exercise to go out to tender and commission an external Ofsted registered provider to operate services for complex residential homes. The contract length will be 5 years with the option to extend for a further 5 years.

3.    For officers continue to undertake to prepare and complete the tender programme, award and implement a new contract for both services.

4.    To delegate authority to approve, award a new contract and future extensions, approve all associated documents and make any other decisions deemed relevant and proportionate to the Director of Families and Children’s Services, and Corporate Director – People, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Reason for Decision:

1.    Increase capacity of supported accommodation for care experienced young people and unaccompanied young people seeking asylum to support them to live within Wiltshire to meet current and future demand.

2.    Increase the capacity of children’s residential accommodation to meet the needs of those children and young people with complex needs within Wiltshire.

3.    Provide housing and commission external providers.