The County Council has a duty to take steps to secure, so far as reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation within its area which meets the needs of children within its care. Sourcing stable placements which adequately meet the requirements of children with complex needs is a particular challenge, and this picture is reflected nationally.
The County Council has been working with other local authorities, as well as providers of residential care, to identify potential solutions to these issues, the culmination of which will be the procurement of a new service. The procurement will be conducted in partnership with other authorities in the region – Kent, Portsmouth and Southampton – with the aim of developing new and innovative approaches to residential care provision for looked after children with complex needs, to better support sufficiency within the region. Each authority will contract individually with the successful provider for their area, but with the flexibility to transfer unused residential places between partners, and even to sell to authorities outside the partnership if appropriate. The partnership will also continue to work together throughout the life of the contract to collaboratively develop services.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 18/11/2021
Decision due: October 2022 by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)
Contact: Thomas Strivens, Programme Manager Email: thomas.strivens@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 22082.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
Procurement
Legal
Finance
Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel; 033 022 22553