Decision details

Agreement to a sufficiency strategy relating to Children Looked After (CLA) with a view to ensuring the correct mix of provision to meet need.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting a draft Children Looked After Sufficiency Strategy which aimed to set out the Council’s approach towards meeting its Sufficiency Duty and the needs of children in its care. Further to this, the report noted that detailed three-year profiles and implementation plans would sit underneath the strategy and would be monitored monthly and updated annually.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted the importance of this service area and the key benefits arising from the delivery of an effective sufficiency strategy. It was noted that the voices of children and young people with lived experience were highlighted within the strategy. The Council’s corporate parent role was also emphasised as a key consideration.

The need for the strategy to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people was highlighted, whilst emphasis was also placed upon the key role that this service area played in terms of the Council’s management of its ongoing financial challenge. 

A Member raised an enquiry which sought reassurance that through the strategy the Council would deliver the changes which were needed at the pace required. In response, the Board received an overview of the aims and ambitions of the strategy, and the actions being taken to deliver it. Key aspects included the cross-Council approach being undertaken and the additional resource from within the directorate being utilised.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposed Children Looked After Sufficiency Strategy, as presented at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be agreed, and that the comments raised by the Board during the consideration of this item, be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that this strategy document will be subject to regular review, and that any significant changes may mean that the Sufficiency Strategy is re-presented to Executive Board for endorsement.

N/A