Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Jones introduced the report which confirmed progress in delivering the first phase of our ‘Care Closer to Home’ strategy and proposed the approach to updating the ‘Care Closer to Home’ Strategy within the context of the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill which was laid before the Senedd Cymru on 20 May 2024.

            The report also proposed a workshop for Elected Members to outline the new legislation, the context of current placement commissioning (often referred to asOut of County Placements) and to explore options for developing the strategicapproach for placement commissioning and further development of in-houseplacement provision.  The outcome would inform the development of an updatedphase 2 ‘Care Closer to Home’ Strategy.

Flintshire County Council had a strategic vision to provide sufficient local good quality accommodation to meet the needs of looked after children.  The ‘Care Closer to Home: Placement Commissioning Strategy’ set out the intention to invest in the development of in house fostering, residential care and to forge effective partnerships with high quality providers that operate not for profit principles.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) reported that the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill would fetter the Council’s ability to commission freely with providers of certain business models outside of Wales as well as in country and locally.  This policy would, and was already, changing the landscape of placement options for children and young people, therefore, local authorities must proactively identify opportunities for change and manage the emerging risks.  The Council was committed to the national policy intent.  The implementation timeline was, however, very challenging and would necessitate significant planning to transition safely for the children and young people.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Cabinet approves progress to deliver phase one of our ‘Care Closer to Home’ strategy; and

(b)       That Cabinet supports a workshop for Elected Members in September/ October 2024 to outline the new legislation, the context of current placement commissioning (often referred to as Out of County Placements) and to explore options for developing a strategic approach for placement commissioning and further development of in-house placement provision.