Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)

The Scrutiny Review examined the issues for the Council of having a large number of Private Children’s Homes in the Borough and covered key areas such as the impact on resources associated with the educational needs of the young people, planning implications, impact on the community and offending issues, and the risks associated with a large number of children who go missing who may be at risk of sexual exploitation. The Review made 20 recommendations which when implemented will, for instance, improve communication between the Homes and our schools enable the market to be managed more effectively and monitor take up of safeguarding training for staff employed by the Homes.

The report attached sets out the proposed response of the Executive to the recommendations contained in that final report.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: George Gilmour, 0161 474 5656, George.gilmour@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Review ‘The Council’s Relationship with Privately Run Children’s Homes.’

RESOLVED – That the response be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)

The Scrutiny Review examined the issues for the Council of having a large number of Private Children’s Homes in the Borough and covered key areas such as the impact on resources associated with the educational needs of the young people, planning implications, impact on the community and offending issues, and the risks associated with a large number of children who go missing who may be at risk of sexual exploitation. The Review made 20 recommendations which when implemented will, for instance, improve communication between the Homes and our schools enable the market to be managed more effectively and monitor take up of safeguarding training for staff employed by the Homes.

The report attached sets out the proposed response of the Executive to the recommendations contained in that final report.

That the Executive notes this report and approves the response to the 20 recommendations contained within it.

Officer contact: George Gilmour, 0161 474 5656, George.gilmour@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulate) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘The Council’s relationship with privately run Children’s Homes’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘The Council’s relationship with privately run Children’s Homes’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

To consider a report of the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee.

Stockport has a large number of privately owned Children’s Homes. Children and young people looked after in these Homes originate largely from outside the borough.  They are placed in Children’s Homes because the young people have severe needs. The Homes are concentrated in some parts of Stockport and the perceived behaviour of some of the young people is of concern to local residents. It is these concerns that led to this Scrutiny Review, and which then examined the relationships between the Council agencies, our partners such as the Police and the Children’s Homes.

The Executive is invited to receive the final report and to request that a response be prepared to the recommendations contained within it.

Officer contact: David Tomlinson, 0161 474 3125, david.tomlinson@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Paul Porgess) of the Scrutiny Review “The Council’s Relationship with Privately Run Children’s Homes” attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to prepare a response to the “The Council’s Relationship with Privately Run Children’s Homes” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the “The Council’s Relationship with Privately Run Children’s Homes” Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.