Issue - meetings

[To approve the publication of the refreshed Children and Young People’s Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy 2021-2024.]

Stephen Larking, Lead Commissioner for Children’s Services presented the Children's Services Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy 2021-2024 and highlighted salient points.

It was acknowledged that the submission of a Sufficiency Strategy was a statutory requirement as set out in Section 22G of the Children’s Act 1989 which requires local authorities to take strategic action in respect of those children they look after and for whom it would be consistent with their welfare for them to be provided with accommodation within their local authority area.

It was noted that this Children and Young People’s Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy 2021-2025 was the first strategy that also set out how the Authority commissioned services.

This Strategy served as a single plan covering requirements for the Children in Care Sufficiency Duty and the Children in Care Strategy and outlined the seven themes: Collaborative Leadership; Strong and Effective Participation and Co-production; Creating a Vision for Local Service Provision; Implementing Robust Joint Commissioning Systems and Processes, Delivering Improved Value and Outcomes; Engaging the Market and Securing the Best Delivery Method, Understanding Performances of all services (internal and contracted).

It was reported that a strategic commissioning offer was being introduced with a service review approach. Reviews would focus on how all Council services worked together and not just one contract in isolation. Our first review is of supported accommodation, including input and feedback from young people, budgets and funding. Internal services as well as external services will be examined to determine what processes and resources the Authority already has before seeking what needs to be commissioned from elsewhere. Sufficiency Strategy Workshops had been held to gain insight from young people as well as including them in tender and contract evaluation processes. Co-production with young people was also embedded heavily throughout other areas of the Strategy.

It was noted that it was a requirement children and young people in care should be attending schools rated good or outstanding by OFSTED, but it was queried why 84% currently attended schools rated as such and not 100%. It was stated that there could be several factors, such as the school rating changing since the children placed there began attending; if the children were settled and happy at the school, it was preferable not to move them. Some children may be placed out of City which may affect the schools they could attend.

In response to a query around what was next for the Strategy, it was noted that a consultation would take place each year in September to ensure the Commissioning Plan element was kept current and relevant. The first plan was due September 2021 and it was agreed that this plan, along with an update on how co-production had added value to the Strategy would be provided around this time.

Resolved:

1. That the publication of the refreshed Children and Young People’s Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy 2021-2024 be approved.
2. That Corporate Parenting Board note the refreshed approach to Commissioning, with a more strategic offer across the directorate.

3.    That Corporate Parenting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7