Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services concerning the Department’s Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2024-27.

Officers outlined the department's approach to ensuring its statutory duty to provide suitable placements for children in care and care leavers. The strategy details the approach to sourcing, contracting, and quality assurance, along with an action plan for 2024-2027.

Key highlights from the discussion included:

• The strategy was provided to Ofsted as part of the recent inspection, and members of the commissioning team were interviewed. The conclusions were that there are robust arrangements regarding commissioning, sourcing, and quality assurance of placements.

A Member enquired if there were there any gaps identified in the strategy that need to be addressed. Officers said that generally, no gaps were identified. The arrangements are robust, with access to placements across London through a commissioning alliance framework. Officers additionally informed Members that there are additional resources available that can be called upon as needed, ensuring that the needs are met without any identified gaps.