Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding seeking approval of the Looked After Children and Care Leavers' Placement Commissioning Strategy

To approve the Looked After Children Strategy and associated Placement Commissioning Strategy 2014-17 attached at Appendices 1 and 2 of this report.

1. Under primary legislation the Council has responsibilities and a positive role to play as the Corporate Parents of Looked After Children in the care of the Council.  A Looked After Children Strategy is a key document which outlines how the Council will discharge its responsibilities and prioritise delivery of services for this group of children.
2. The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 strengthens the requirement on the Council to take steps to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation for looked after children within their local authority area (Section 22G Children Act 1989).  This is now referred to as ‘the sufficiency duty’.  The Looked After Children and Care Leavers Placement Commissioning Strategy 2014-17 outlines how the Council will meet its duty under the 1989 and 2008 Acts

While the Council has a duty to prepare and approve the attached Strategies, the form and content of them is open to Council discretion having regard to a local needs assessment and meeting local priorities.  A variety of different options exist which have been discounted having regard to the Council’s assessment of priorities and needs within its area.

None