Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Bradwell

Recommendations:

1.    That consideration be given to the outcome of the targeted consultation with affected stakeholders.

2.    That, in accordance with the options appraisal and giving due regard to the feedback elicited from the consultation, the planned closure of both children’s homes by the end of December 2016 be approved. 

3.    That the budget transfers outlined in Section 7 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the outcome of consultation with effected stakeholders and options for the planned closure of Silverwood and Cherry Tree House children’s residential care homes.

The report detailed the decision making and consultation processes to date and set out the range of feedback, opinions and views on the proposed closure of both homes. It was specifically noted that the consultation period was extended by a further week to allow officers to consult with multi-agency partners from the Rotherham Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Executive Group.

It was reported that a decision to close one or both residential children’s homes would not adversely impact on any individual young person, as there were no residents in occupation at the time of the meeting.

It was noted that Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had considered the proposals at its meeting on 2 September 2016. Whilst the Board had supported the proposals, it had proposed two further recommendations for consideration regarding provision of emergency placements and foster placements be no further than a maximum of twenty miles from the borough area boundary.

Commissioner Bradwell agreed:-

1.    That the outcome of the targeted consultation with affected stakeholders be noted.

2.    That, having regard to the options appraisal and the consultation feedback, the planned closure of both children’s homes by the end of December 2016 be approved.

3.    That the service proposals include provision for emergency placements for vulnerable children and young people, including the provision of ‘crash pads’.

4.    That a service review be undertaken, as soon as practicable, to ensure that , appropriate to their individual care needs, vulnerable children and young people have foster placements which are situated within the borough or no more than a maximum distance of twenty miles from the borough area boundary.