URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5450

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director for Children and Young People which sought to support the Council to deliver the Children’s Social Care reforms outlined in the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill and Families First Partnership Programme guide March 2025, Oldham Council had received a £2.2m Prevention Grant from the Department for Education (DfE).   The Cabinet were informed that the conditions of the grant, outlined expectations that up to 30% of the grant should be utilised for transformation resources, which would support the Local Authority to deliver significant reforms, as well as to support the delivery of partnership services under a new operating model. The submitted report also outlined how the new policy change and programme were to be delivered in Oldham and sought approval of the resources required to ensure a smooth implementation in line with the national guidance.   Options/alternatives considered: Option 1 – To not recruit and/or procure additional programme resource, deliver the programme in Oldham within existing transformation and service capacity. This was not the recommended option as the required pace and scale of change will be hindered if existing staff were to deliver the programme whilst continuing with business-as-usual activity and competing priorities. Option 2 – To approve the governance arrangements and the recruitment and/or procurement of the additional resources detailed in this report, as required to deliver the programme at pace and in line with national guidance. Option 2 was the preferred Option.   Resolved: 1.    That the implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme across the Borough of Oldham, be noted. 2.    That the Cabinet approves the governance arrangements, detailed in the submitted report, to oversee the co-design and implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme in Oldham. 3.    That the Cabinet approves the use of part of the Prevention Grant to recruit the roles as identified in the report to drive design and delivery. 4.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children and Young People and/or their nominee, to procure a Systems Transformation Lead in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules. 5.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority for future decisions regarding the delivery of the programme, resources and use of the Prevention Grant to the Executive Director Children and Young People, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder and the Director of Finance. 6.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Borough Solicitor and/or their nominees to carry out all necessary legal formalities.

Date of Decision: June 16, 2025