Purpose

Supported accommodation for looked after
children and care leavers aged 16+ in Sheffield is under
significant pressure due to increased demand, rising costs, and
market dysfunction.
 

Content

a)   
Approve the phased development of in-house supported accommodation
provision for care leavers and looked after children aged 16+ to
develop 20 in-house beds for young people.

b)   
Approve that capacity will be provided by entering rental
agreements of up to 24 months with landlords as part of a pilot
project to improve capacity.

c)   
Approve that the value for phase 1 of the project will not exceed
£250k, in relation to each individual lease in addition to
service costs.

d)   
Approve that revenue budget will be diverted from the placement
budget to fund implementation.

 

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that children in care and care
leavers have access to a range of quality homes that meet their
needs, Children and Families are proposing that in-house provision
is developed to meet demand and that the Local Authority meets
their Sufficiency Duty.
 

Alternative options considered

Alternative Option 1:
Do Nothing
Rejected due to increase demand and cost
impact on local authority budgets.
 
Alternative Option 2:
Meet demand through purchase of properties
Rejected due to capital required to fulfil,
£1.5 million investment required and capital not available to
service.
 
Alternative Option 3:
Commissioning arrangements and block
contracts
Rejected due to market capacity, cost of
placements, and provider restrictions on young people placed.