Agenda item

Developing a residential provision for looked-after children in small group homes needs to be scrutinised as the project is part of the Council's Plan.

a)    To accept the report and wish the development every success.

b)    To note the Committee's desire to receive an update once the residential home has opened and there has been a settling period.

 

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Children and Families and the Assistant Head of Resources - Children and Supporting Families, noting that the development of a residential home for looked-after children was a priority within the Council Plan.

 

⁠The background of the plan was shared, noting that there were currently approximately 280 children in the Council's care. Everyone who was a part of the fostering plan was thanked, because the majority of looked-after children had been placed with foster families. It was explained that others lived at home with their families but were receiving consistent support from the Council. It was acknowledged that approximately 20 looked-after children were currently in the Council's care who needed a residential placement and there were insufficient placements to currently offer that service without externalising. Members were reminded that many children were currently placed in areas beyond Wales, such as Bristol and Northumbria.

 

It was confirmed that the aim of the plan was to replace the need to externalise with the provision provided by the Council, managing to provide residential care for looked-after children for a substantially lower cost than the current average costs.

 

It was explained that the plan placed two looked-after children in a house in the community to ensure that they had a stable home when fostering was not an appropriate solution for them. Details were provided on a number of the plan's advantages, including receiving care in Welsh, remaining in their local school and continuing to foster a relationship with friends and family when possible. It was confirmed that the main purpose of the Plan was to provide specialist care in Welsh for children locally, removing the need for them to leave the county, or leave Wales to receive this. It was emphasised that the plan complied with the Council's Equality Plan, as well as The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

 

It was explained that a suitable house had been bought in Morfa Bychan to offer residential care to children between 10 and 18 years old. It was highlighted that the current emphasis was to secure staff for the houses to enable the plan to develop in a timely manner before considering such options for the future. It was reiterated that they hoped to buy two other houses in different communities in the County soon. It was acknowledged that purchasing and completing alterations to the first house was a slow process because necessary procedures and policies were being developed concurrently with the development of the house. ⁠It was emphasised that purchasing homes in the future would be a faster process, because these procedures and policies would already be operational.

 

It was reported that the plan needed to be completed by the end of 2027, emphasising that three registered residential homes would be required by then. It was acknowledged that many risks had derived from this timetable, namely; difficulty to find a second or third suitable building or difficulty to get the first child in the first house by September 2024. It was also noted that recruitment challenges were also being considered by the Department.

 

Attention was drawn to the financial situation, confirming that the plan was funded through the RIF/HCF grant, and also confirming that two million pounds had been earmarked to achieve the plan. It was explained that this funding had been used to buy suitable houses and make alterations to them to ensure that they complied with the Care Inspectorate Wales, which was necessary for registration.

 

It was confirmed that the first year of the plan had been very successful, with many of the plan's targets being achieved in a timely manner. It was reiterated that the main targets that had already been achieved included: Appointing a Project Manager, buying and altering the first house (in Morfa Bychan) and developing a Statement of Purpose and possibilities for the development.

 

They went on to note the main targets for the plan's second year, including: Appointing a Manager for the first house (in Morfa Bychan), completing alterations to the first house for the Care Inspectorate Wales registration, identifying and purchasing the second home and identifying a third home to buy or submit a planning application on a piece of land in Arfon which was already in the Council's ownership. It was confirmed that the Department had collaborated with the Housing and Property Department.

 

The members were encouraged to assist the Department to advertise posts related to the plan within their wards. It was noted that posts for the manager of the first house, six residential officers and contingency posts were currently seen on the Council's website, as well as the Council's social media and on posters. It was noted that they hoped that the house Manager could be responsible for a second house in the future to ensure consistency within the plan, whilst also acknowledging that not many individuals qualified for the role were available.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:- 

The plan was welcomed, whilst expressing that the plan should have been implemented years ago. However, the Department was congratulated for their recent progress, and they expressed pride for the plan.

 

There were concerns about the number of children who would remain in out of county placements, but it was acknowledged that they had to start somewhere and that it was a process that would take time. It was believed that these plans would give the children an element of normalcy compared to the old large care homes. Pride was expressed that the Department had consulted locally.

 

It was explained that it was not a requirement to conduct a public consultation on this matter. However, it was confirmed that the Department had conducted a public meeting in the area to ensure that members of the community would receive an opportunity to ask questions and express any concerns. It was confirmed that the majority of the individuals were supportive of the plan but the Department had been in contact with one individual who had expressed concerns.

 

In response to an observation regarding recruitment challenges, it was explained that pamphlets had been distributed yesterday referring to an event in Porthmadog and a session to try and encourage applications for workers.

 

They enquired how the provision would work in relation to girls and boys. It was explained that an important aspect of this role would be to assess the individuals' background to ensure that their residential placement was suitable and also followed arrangements and processes where appropriate. It was noted that there would be no discrimination on the grounds of girls and boys and that the manager would decide on the suitability of individuals based on assessments on their background and their needs.

 

In response to a question about what would happen when the individuals in the houses turned eighteen years old, it was confirmed that the registration allowed residential placements until this age but those individuals would not have to leave the house if no suitable alternative provision was in place for them. It was explained that the usual arrangement in many cases was that the individuals would move to an alternative provision where supervisory support was available. Furthermore, it was ensured that the Department had been in discussions with GISDA to use two flats in Caernarfon for the third stage of the provision where the individuals did not need supervision and consistent support but was happy for staff's input now and again. It was emphasised that exchanging such provision was considered by the appropriate services as they turned 15 years old, for the best plan to be put in place when they turn eighteen years old.

 

In response to a question regarding what factors were being considered when choosing a location for a house, it was explained that distance from public transport was an important factor, as well as distance from the local School and leisure facilities. It was noted that there were also other considerations such as sufficient parking locations for staff and visitors and that the location did not stand out and suited the needs of the individuals e.g. privacy.

 

In response to an enquiry regarding costs of keeping children in out of county placements, it was noted that it cost approximately £6,000 per week for each child. This was compared to the weekly cost of running one unit, which was £440 per week. It was reported that this would be a saving of £200,000-£250,000 a year for every two children being placed internally.

 

Pride was expressed that other counties in north Wales were very eager to develop similar plans and discussions were in place to share ideas, policies and training opportunities.

 

The officers were thanked for their work to develop the plan and they wished every success to the plan. They looked forward to receiving a further update when the children had settled.

 

RESOLVED

a)    To accept the report and wish the development every success.

b)    To note the Committee's desire to receive an update once the residential home has opened and there has been a settling-in period.