A Sufficiency Duty was placed on local
authorities in Section 22G of the Children Act 1989 and this has
been reinforced by the Draft Statutory Guidance Securing Sufficient
Accommodation for Looked After Children (2009). The Strategy
document sets out how this duty will be met over the next 3 years
(2017-20).
The duty applies to each Local Authority providing children's
services and the strategy sets out what steps have, and will be,
taken to secure, so far as reasonably practicable, sufficient
accommodation within its area to meet the needs of children that it
is looking after and children whose circumstances are such that it
would be consistent with their welfare for them to be provided with
accommodation in the local authority area.
The sufficiency duty, therefore, applies in respect of all children
who are Looked After. However, it also applies to Children in Need
who are at risk of care or custody (sometimes referred to as
children 'on the edge of care'). This acknowledges the importance -
both for improving outcomes for children and in having sufficient
accommodation to meet their needs - of taking earlier, preventive
action to support children and families so that fewer children
become Looked After.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects 2 or more wards;
Decision status: For Determination
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 28/03/2017
Decision due: 19 Jul 2017 by Cabinet
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Lead director: Emma Bennett, Executive Director of Families
Department: People
Contact: Nick Price, Commissioning Officer Email: nick.price@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Corporate Parenting Board