URL: https://barnsleymbc.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3106

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Cabinet approval of the Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026-30 and the business cases relating to the 3 workstreams within.

Content: Cabinet approval of the Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026-30 and the business cases relating to the 3 workstreams within. RESOLVED that Cabinet:-   (i)            Approve the Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy (2026 – 2030) and endorse the proposed 3 Pillar approach to delivering the Strategy;   (ii)          Approve the phased implementation of the Strategy, enabling learning from pilot activity and development of capital assets within the current Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) period;   (iii)         Approve the financial investment required to deliver the Strategy (comprising the following), on the basis that the investment generates the savings as set out at paragraph 7.13: •      recurring revenue investment of £5.41M (full year effect) by Year 3 (2028/29) rising from £2.1M in 2026/27 (total additional cost the MTFS period: £12.59M); and •      estimated £1.8M of one-off capital investment (subject to individual reports and governance).   (iv)         Note that delivery of the Strategy is forecast to generate £6.98M of savings against the current MTFS (full year effect) by Y3, after which the ongoing interventions will be funded from the savings generated;   (v)          Delegate authority to release the approved funding to the Executive Director, Children’s Services, in consultation with Director of Finance, subject to appropriate governance, monitoring of impact and financial oversight; and   (vi)         Receive future progress updates and the findings of an independent evaluation to assess the impact, effectiveness and value for money of the Strategy.

Date of Decision: April 1, 2026