Purpose

This report identifies an additional county council requirement for smaller children's home provision for children with more complex health needs. The report sets out proposals:

  (i)  To submit a match funded capital bid to the Department for Education Children’s Homes Capital Fund for the development of a three-bed, short-term children's home which includes specialist health intervention delivered as part of the placement (in collaboration with NHS partners).

  (ii)  For the allocation of match funding within the capital programme during 2023/24 and 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 'A'. The cost is to be met by new capital borrowing.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order C21 have been complied with. Compliance with Standing Orders C19 and C20 was not possible due to the application closing date.

Decision

Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C29 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities. The reason for this is to enable the application to be submitted to the Department for Education by 9 September 2022.