Issue - meetings

Recommendations

That, subject to any comments Members may have, the Executive:

       i.         except as set out below, delegates all functions in relation to the progression of work to establish a Regional Care Cooperative to the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families, following review of recommendations with other Directors of Children and Social Care across the region;

     ii.         agrees that the decision to submit an Expression Of Interest to test a Regional Care Cooperative be taken by the Corporate Director of Resources (or their sub-delegated officer), if they deem it appropriate, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Executive Member for Children and Families, and the Corporate Director for Children and Young People’s Service, following review of recommendations with other Directors of Children and Social Care across the region; 

    iii.         agrees that the decision to join the White Rose Framework (to support a decision to submit an Expression of Interest to test a Regional Care Cooperative should be that the outcome of regional discussions) be taken by  the Corporate Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and the Monitoring Officer.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service outlining the national direction of travel for Regional Care Cooperatives and seeking delegated authority to progress a regional Expression of Interest to the Department for Education (DfE) should this be supported through Yorkshire and Humber discussions and admission into White Rose Framework.

The Executive Member for Children and Families, Councillor Janet Sanderson, introduced the report and outlined the national policy context, including increasing demand for children’s placements, especially for those with complex needs, and rising costs. Regional Care Cooperatives were intended to improve sufficiency, reduce reliance on unregulated placements and create a more sustainable market, and were the DfE’s agreed future operating model.  The importance of early engagement to shape the future model rather than adopting a reactive position was noted.  The tight timetable for submission of an Expression of Interest was highlighted resulting in the need to delegate authority to officers to progress the proposal.

Resolved (unanimously)

That the Executive

1)    Except as set out below, delegates all functions in relation to the progression of work to establish a Regional Care Cooperative to the Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families, following review of recommendations with other Directors of Children and Social Care across the region;

2)    Agrees that the decision to submit an Expression Of Interest to test a Regional Care Cooperative be taken by the Corporate Director of Resources (or their sub-delegated officer), if they deem it appropriate, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Executive Member for Children and Families, and the Corporate Director for Children and Young People’s Service, following review of recommendations with other Directors of Children and Social Care across the region; 

3)    Agrees that the decision to join the White Rose Framework (to support a decision to submit an Expression of Interest to test a Regional Care Cooperative should be that the outcome of regional discussions) be taken by the Corporate Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and the Monitoring Officer.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendations are made to ensure North Yorkshire Council remains engaged in, and able to influence, emerging regional arrangements that are expected to become central to the future delivery of children’s social care. Delegated authority allows the Council to respond at pace to regional decisions, support the discharge of statutory sufficiency duties, and determine proportionate participation based on collective evidence and local need. 

Alternative options considered

Due to the requirement for local authorities to work together as a region on the development of an RCC, the options considered was for delegated authority not to be given at this time and therefore to not be a part of the potential regional EOI, for us to observe the next phase of models to be tested and join at a later date assuming we could become a part of the Yorkshire and Humber collaborative following any EOI.

However, given the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 907