AMBITIOUS plans to create ‘ordinary houses’ locally for children in care – rather than sending vulnerable kids outwith the region – are taking steps forward.
An outline business case for the development of residential children’s houses is expected to be presented to Dumfries and Galloway Council in the next two months.
At this week’s social work committee, councillors are expected to approve the review of these plans in June.
This will provide several options for caring for more children in Dumfries and Galloway, moving away from sending kids to private care providers at an astronomical cost of around £8m per year.
A report on the matter states: “While currently in development, there are emerging options identified within the draft strategic outline business case.
“These include increasing capacity within the region through: working with local social housing and care provider(s) to procure new provision through new and existing accommodation; procuring new arrangements for care, utilising council owned (new or existing) property; commissioning services, in partnership with the third sector; or a combination of each of these options.”
If councillors rubber stamp the strategic outline business case in June, the next step is seeking approval from the council’s capital investment programme board.
The progression of the development of the business case would then be subject to approval of costs being allocated by the council’s economy and infrastructure committee.
Whilst work is progressing to review the options for residential houses, other measures are being pursued to address wider resource challenges and social work demand pressures in relation to children requiring care.
All current individual placement assessments resulting in children’s residential placements are being reviewed.
Contracts and the current contract management arrangements are being examined to identify opportunities for cost reduction, while mechanisms are being developed to strengthen the future contracting for future placements.
The report continues: “Review and analysis work is being undertaken on the recommended allowances for foster and kinship carers, as well as other supports that could be enhanced to attract and retain foster carers.
“This work will identify options for incentives and further support for carers recruitment for elected member consideration.”
