Agenda item

Report attached.

At the request of the Sub-Committee, the Commissioning Programme Manager presented a report that detailed the management and engagement of providers offering Semi-Independent Living Accommodation in Havering.

It was explained that whilst the population of children in Havering is increasing, the number of new children becoming looked after has started to decline. The total number of looked after children was not reducing as the Young People are remaining lookedafter for longer periods of time.

It was stated that as a result of preventative work, the number of children coming into care at earlier ages was decreasing whilst the number arriving at 16+ has dramatically increased since 2014/15. This was partly as a result of a significant increase in unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

This has been putting pressure on service availability and leading to a significant number of older children being placed in semi-independent accommodation. There is a lack of residential and foster provision across London, in particular for teenage children and this was proving increasingly difficult to place children and young people close to their local area. It was also stated that the costs for residential provision are increasing and often local authorities are competing for the same placements.

In order to try and keep young people close to home, and in a bid to try and manage costs, local authorities (LA) are increasingly having to use semi-independent/unregulated provision.

The duties placed on LA’s require that the service have a responsibility for young people whom are care experienced up to their 25^th birthday, increasing the number of young people requiring support.  

It was explained that semi-independent provision is not regulated by Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission however a placing authority have a responsibility to ensure the appropriateness of the provision and home for the young people being placed. This type of provision is mainly used for young people aged 16 and above. Semi-independent units are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the service is developing a system that builds quality and assurance in to the services commissioned. It was noted that other local authorities could commission such provisions within Havering without prior knowledge and populated with young people from other boroughs. 

It was explained that services across Havering are working together to address the issues being caused by such provisions as there is no legal requirement for organisations to notify or seek approval from the LA in which they are setting up. The Planning, Licencing, Community Engagement and Joint Commissioning Unit (JCU) are working together to develop a better approach to managing such provisions. Teams are sharing intelligence to map and identify known provisions.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the JCU are working closely with the providers of services to develop a better understanding of expectations on both sides. There were plans underway to introduce a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) by the beginning of July 2021, allowing better control over provider quality and cost for those young people that Havering places and will in turn negate the need for spot purchasing.

It was explained that that the service has developed its own semi-independent provision at two properties which belong to the authority. The LA has commissioned a provider to deliver services at the premises with total control over all young people placed in these accommodations, unlike provisions which are privately run. The established LA provisions are fully occupied and the provider has shown that they are able to manage complex young people.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the placements team of the JCU carry out regular monitoring visits to the commissioned properties unannounced and a visit checklist is completed.. Monitoring visits have continued virtually throughout Covid.

It was explained that the service continue to review and develop its own quality assurance processes and will be introducing improved systems to better help manage and track provider quality assurance.

It was noted that all young people placed in these units who are under 18 Children looked after (CLA) have an allocated Social Worker who make regular visits and work in partnership with the staff in the units to ensure good outcomes.

Officers stated that the JCU are working with Local Authorities across North East London to develop protocols to share details of provisions, outcomes of quality assurance visits and any concerns. This will also allow LA’s to develop a better understanding of providers operating in the area outside the LA frameworks/DPS, and will also allow for better intelligence gathering of out of borough young people being placed in Havering.

It was stated that the Department of Education (DFE) have called for reforms to unregulated provision for children in care and care leavers. In February 2020, a government consultation was launched seeking views on proposed new measures to ensure that the use of semi-independent provision provides the right level of support and does not place children in care and care leavers at risk. 

It was explained that there is a national push to bring in these reforms which are vital to ensuring the local authority can demonstrate that young people are placed in the most appropriate placements which can achieve positive outcomes towards independence. 

Members of the sub-committee noted that monitoring inspection were taking place but it was suggested that Councillors inspection of accommodation should be resumed as part of the review.

Officers explained that in the situation where a provider is regarded as not providing the adequate provision, the sub-committee was informed that working with colleagues in Social Care the service will assess the risk and issues to determine if the risk were significant for current occupants at the provision to be moved.

In response to the complaint mechanism available to the young person, it was explained that the Director and Assistant Director organise a monthly surgery at The Cocoon where issues can be raised.

A Member enquired if the service had noticed an increase of mental issues and illness with Young People and what provision are available to support them.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the service continues to develop an effective quality assurance and undertake random check at the provision currently in use.

The Sub-Committee noted the content of the report.