i)          that the exempt business cases set out in Appendices 1,2 and 3 to the submitted report be noted;

ii)         that the principle set out in recommendation 3.1.1 of the exempt submitted report be supported; and

iii)        that the proposals set out in recommendation 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the exempt submitted report be supported.

The Council’s Sufficiency Strategy sets out that in order to improve services to children the Council is required to:

·         Strengthen the delivery of edge of care, early help, early intervention and prevention services;

·         Support our investment in all social work staff by developing a social work learning academy – the Learning Academy’s fundamental goal will be to develop social work practice to achieve excellent outcomes for children and families.

As such three business cases have been developed (set out in exempt appendices 1 to 3) detailing proposals in relation to the above and recommending a course of action.

None.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 1 May 2020 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Council’s Sufficiency Strategy set out the Council’s clear intention to significantly improve the way in which we provide services to children who become looked after, or are on the edge of care.

In order to achieve this, a number of Sufficiency Strategy Workstreams were created to develop the services that will be available to children who may need care, or who are on the edge of care and need intensive support to avoid them becoming avoidably looked after.

As such a number of Sufficiency Strategy business cases are being prepared, with three of these being in relation to the establishment of a Learning Academy, edge of care and permanence.

None.