URL: https://democracy.darlington.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1997

Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of People to seek Cabinet’s approval for the Council to take part in the expansion of the Regional Fostering Hub in line with the Department for Education (DfE) expansion programme. It was explained that this will build on the Foster with North East (FwNE) pathfinder that had been in operation since 2023 moving to an ‘End-to-End’ model encompassing with all aspects of the Fostering process.   The report stated that Children in Care sufficiency is the most significant risk and financial pressure to Councils across the North East and nationally. Since the independent Review of the Children’s Social Care in 2022 national policy, supported by proposed legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill had identified regional working as key to addressing these challenges. The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) had also reported that the current model is dysfunctional driving costs up and delivering poor outcomes.   The DfE policy statement set out the seven minimum requirements for an expanded Regional Fostering Hub along with a specification and very tight timelines to establish and implement the model. A full costed plan should be submitted to the DfE by the 1st June 2026, the DfE provided over £2m of funding to FwNE to establish it and for the initial running costs. In 2025-26 the current model was fully funded by the 12 LA’s though a population-based formula.   RESOLVED - It is recommended that: (a)    Approval is given for Darlington Borough Council to enter into an agreement to be part of the expanded North East Fostering Hub in line with national policy and progress as a partner in a regional bid to DfE to become a ‘Wave 2’ RCC national pathfinder. (b)   Resources are allocated (financial and workforce) as required by the regional model and set out in this report.   REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons: (a)    To support sufficiency challenges within foster care and maximise the opportunities for children to be cared for within a fostering household. (b)   The opportunity for Darlington to be part of a regional initiative with mobilisation funding for a 2-year period aligned to the Regional Care Co-operatives.  

Date of Decision: May 5, 2026