Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, presented a report outlining proposals to commission 12 residential children’s home places in Wiltshire, to ensure children are able to remain closer to their home and community where appropriate.

The Deputy Leader explained that commissioning the additional places would secure long term accommodation for children and young people in Wiltshire through a 10-year contract with an external provider. She provided figures for the number of children and young people in residential placements, and whilst that number was relatively stable the costs were always increasing. There had been a successful bid to the Department for Education to assist with purchasing residential homes to lease to a provider.

Councillor Jon Hubbard, Chairman of Children’s Select Committee, thanked officers for briefings on the subject. He noted the proposals would save money, but more importantly would improve quality of life for young people.

Councillor Ian Thorn raised a query relating to the reasons for out of county placements, such as safeguarding concerns. It was stated that in some cases needs were so specialist that out of county placements were the only option with current provision.

It was then,

Resolved:

That Cabinet agrees:

1)    To award a 10-year block contract to an external residential care provider, to provide 12 places in Wiltshire for Wiltshire children and young people. This will include an annual review of the contract.

2)    That officers continue to undertake to prepare and complete the tender programme, award, and implement a new block contract for children’s residential care by 30 April 2023.

3)    To delegate authority to approve and award a new contract and future extensions and variations and all associated documents to the Corporate Director of People in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

Reasons for Decision:

1)    To ensure children are able to live closer to their home, family, community, and social networks where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

2)    To ensure cost effective placements for children and young people within buildings owned by Wiltshire Council by leasing them to a provider at a peppercorn rent through a new block contract for 12 residential children’s home beds.