URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2039

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Children and Families which detailed the main areas within the Children and Families Service where the Council had a duty to ensure it could offer enough suitable accommodation in its area to meet the needs of children who are looked after by the Council.  In addition, the report provided a summary of places and services available (full detail in Appendix A) and included monitoring of sufficiency, identifying shortfalls and sufficiency gaps and how the Council plans to address those shortfalls.   Members noted that, in summary, the Council was increasing its support to children in care and care leavers and ensuring they had access to suitable accommodation.  It was reported that the number of children in care in the borough had fallen from 584 to 544 and had reduced further to 537 since the publication of the report. This positive direction of travel was predominantly due to stronger prevention work and staff working more closely with families at an earlier stage to ensure that children could remain with their families where possible.   In terms of accommodation, the Council had expanded its provision of residential homes and, since publication of the report, two further properties were in the process of being acquired.  Members noted that the percentage of children placed in the Council’s in-house provision had increased from 45% to 47% which was higher than the England percentage of 43%.  In addition, they noted that OFSTED had rated all the Council’s children’s homes as ‘good” as part of its regulatory process.   Members’ attention was also drawn to key pressures such as the difficulty in recruiting and retaining foster carers.  The amount being paid to foster carers had increased in January 2026 which was welcomed and it was hoped this would assist with the recruitment challenge.   Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.   Cabinet Members welcomed the comprehensive report and acknowledged the positive progress made over the last two to three years. Members thanked the staff in Children’s Social Care and Children’s Services, as well as wider Council services such as Housing for all their hard work which they felt was contributing to the positive progress.   DECIDED:     That   the update on the Children in Care and Care Leavers Commissioning and Placement Sufficiency Statement within Children and Families Service be noted and the suggested next steps be supported.   Reason for Decision   Children and Families Directorate have a range of services where sufficiency of these services or places is required. Cabinet will be able to consider these service areas, demand for such services, where shortfalls have been identified and plans put in place to address these.   Alternative Options   The provisions detailed in the Sufficiency Report and summarised in the Cabinet report fall under varying statutory duties and therefore no other options are appropriate or recommended.

Date of Decision: March 11, 2026