Issue - meetings

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

Cllr Grundy, Cabinet member for Children’s Services presented the revised Children in Care Commissioning Strategy and sought Cabinet approval of the strategic direction and priorities outlined within it.

The Strategy took account of the issues raised following the recent Ofsted Inspection on Safeguarding and Looked After Children. The report had raised some specific immediate actions which had been addressed and also identified that the Strategy sets out clear priorities for on-going service development.

The purpose of the Strategy was to achieve better outcomes for children and young people by making sure there were good quality services available locally.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Chairman of the Looked After Children Task Group explained that the Strategy had been endorsed by the Task Group having been involved in its development. He cited this as a good example of policy development with scrutiny input at the outset and thanked officers and the Cabinet member for their co-operation.

In response to a query, Carolyn Godfrey – Corporate Director advised that the Strategy was fully aligned with Government policies.

Resolved:

To agree the strategic direction and priorities outlined in the Children in Care Commissioning Strategy 2012-2015 as presented.

Reason for decision

The Wiltshire Children and young People’s Trust brings together a wide range of stakeholders including young people and partner agencies. The Trust has developed a commissioning strategy covering placements and services for children in care which sets out the strategic direction. The Council has a role as the Corporate parent for children in care and Wiltshire Council Cabinet is being asked to endorse the strategy including the commissioning priorities.