Agenda item - Residential Child Care, Foster Care and SEN Education Placements

Report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)     Grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Families, Children & Learning to conclude negotiations with West Sussex County Council on the terms of access and agreement to participate in a regional Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of placements in independent residential children’s homes, independent foster care and independent non-maintained special schools (INMSS).

2)     Approves the procurement of a DPS, either led by West Sussex County Council (WSCC) as the Contracting Authority or procured solely by Brighton & Hove City Council (depending on the outcome of 2.1 above), for the provision of placements in independent residential children’s homes, independent foster care and INMSS.

3)     Grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Families, Children & Learning to: (i) carry out the procurement of the DPS referred to in 2.2 above; (ii) agree the term of the DPS; (iii) award and let the DPS and; (iv) award and let placement agreements under the DPS.

31.1       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning in relation to Residential Child Care, Foster Care and SEN Education Placements. The report sought approval for the procurement of a Dynamic Purchasing System and award of Individual Placement Agreements for placements in independent residential children’s homes, independent foster care and independent non-maintained special schools.

31.2       Councillor Wealls noted that the Foster Carers Council were supportive of this approach, but noted their two concerns related to placements outside of area the how reasonable the costs were. In response the Executive Director explained that there was clear local guidance that placements should be within 20 miles, unless there were sound reasons to deviate from this. In relation to the costs those in the report were estimates and the report sought delegated approval to agree the partnership.

31.3       The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

31.         RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)     Grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Families, Children & Learning to conclude negotiations with West Sussex County Council on the terms of access and agreement to participate in a regional Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of placements in independent residential children’s homes, independent foster care and independent non-maintained special schools (INMSS).

2)     Approves the procurement of a DPS, either led by West Sussex County Council (WSCC) as the Contracting Authority or procured solely by Brighton & Hove City Council (depending on the outcome of 2.1 above), for the provision of placements in independent residential children’s homes, independent foster care and INMSS.

3)     Grants delegated authority to the Executive Director of Families, Children & Learning to: (i) carry out the procurement of the DPS referred to in 2.2 above; (ii) agree the term of the DPS; (iii) award and let the DPS and; (iv) award and let placement agreements under the DPS.