Agenda and decisions

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 26 March 2019.

Lead Member for Environment and Community Safety.

Deputy City Mayor

Salford City Council - Record of Decision (CABINET)

I, Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in consultation with the Cabinet and in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council constitution do hereby:

Agree the permanent closure of the former 262 Liverpool Road Children’s Home, which has been temporarily closed since February 2018.

The Reasons are that Salford is to adopt a new model of ‘No Wrong Door’ which is positively changing the way in which we offer intensive suport to young people, linked with both fostering and residential care.

The goals are to reduce the number of young people coming into care, and support those in care to find a permanent family setting - either long term foster placement, back with their family or independence.

The council recognises the critical role of foster carers in providing much needed stability to our most vulnerable children and young people in the city.  Cabinet Members considered the fostering strategy and the review of allowances report on 26^th March 2019 and in line with our commitment to foster carers approved an increase in the skills element of the foster carer allowance and for those foster carers participating in the Focus Scheme. 

At the heart of the model is a residential hub which provides short term placements and multi-disciplinary support. Young people are at the heart of designing the hub and the new way of working. The hub will help us reduce the number of placements both out of area placements and with independent fostering agencies. The approach acknowledges best practice and the successful implementation of this model in North Yorkshire.

Options considered and rejected were.

This decision is part of the adoption of the ‘No Wrong Door’ model and the wider reconfiguration of residential children’s homes.

Assessment of Risk.

The source of funding is: N/A

Legal Advice obtained.

The council is subject to a general duty to secure sufficient accommodation that meets the needs of looked after children within the its area (s22G Children Act 1989) The proposals are consistent with meeting this duty as through appropriate commissioning arrangements and alternative provision the council is able to meet its statutory responsibilities

Financial Advice obtained.

As a result of the change in approach a review of residential buildings has been undertaken.  The Children’s Home at 262 Liverpool Road does not provide the environment nor meet the principle objectives promoted within the ‘No Wrong Door’ model.

On this basis the recommendation is to close the building.  The level of saving delivered in year will become clear once the staffing arrangements for ‘No Wrong Door’ and future residential need are completed in July, the outcome of which will be reported to Members.

Procurement Advice obtained .

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process.

(if the documents disclose exempt or confidential information, they should not be listed, but the following wording shall be inserted : "(The relevant documents contain exempt or confidential information and are not available for  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.