Decision details

Children in care numbers have increased since the start of the pandemic with an?additional 105 children coming into care in the past three years. This reflects the impact of covid, complexity of need, increased demand across the?system and increase in Unaccompanied?asylum seeking?Children. We currently have 466 looked after children in placements. The total looked after children includes 75 children in external residential placements and 47 children placed in External Foster Care. The cost of current external placements is £8.622m which represents £3.035m?overspend on existing budget.

The proposal is to deliver additional in-borough children’s placements by creating a £2 million borrowing facility to allow the purchase of second-hand residential properties that can be converted to children’s homes to provide direct delivery places at a cheaper per bed per week rate for children with complex needs.

The Cabinet has considered a business case for the delivery of additional internal residential placement sufficiency in Stockport and has:-

(1) Approved the capital funding to a maximum of £1.8m through prudential borrowing for the immediate purchase and conversion of up to three properties within Stockport.

(2) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to approve the selection of suitable properties and undertake their purchase.

(3) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to enter into any such contracts and agreements as may be required to complete the purchase, conversion and operation of the children's homes.

(4) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to apply for any necessary consents associated with the delivery of the children's homes.

(5) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to approve necessary revenue budget changes to support the running of the new homes.

(6) Delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to take all necessary further steps to deliver the strategy.

None.

None.