Agenda item

This report seeks approval for Brent to join a Pan-London Vehicle (PLV) for the commissioning of placements for looked after children and care leavers. In the first instance, the PLV will develop and run secure welfare provision in London.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To agree for Brent to become a member of a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, provisionally to be known as the Pan London Vehicle (“PLV”) in order to develop and then oversee the running of London’s Secure Children’s Home provision for a five-year period from 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2028 with break clause after three years as set out in Section 8 of the report; and in addition:

(a)    with reference to paragraph 4.5 in the report, to agree that the preference would be for the PLV to be hosted by London Councils in order to ensure appropriate political oversight from all participating boroughs;

(b)    to explore the potential to collaborate with other PLV members on future joint commissioning programmes.

(2)    To commit in principle to joint oversight and risk/benefit sharing, through the PLV, of the Secure Children’s Home (“SCH”) provision, for a five-year period to 31^st March 2028, including the build, service development and service commissioning phases, subject to ratification after the revision of the SCH business case, and renewable on a ten yearly cycle thereafter, with break-point after five years.

(3)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Children and Young Peoplein consultation with the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources and the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to make the final determination on the Council’s membership of the PLV, following completion of the revised SCH business case and legal documentation and, if appropriate, to enter into all the legal agreements, contracts and other documents on behalf of the Council required to implement and run any aspect of the PLV arrangements.

Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools) introduced a report setting out proposals for Brent to join a Pan-London Vehicle (PLV) for the commissioning of placements for Looked After Children and Care Leavers initially being developed to run secure welfare provision in London.

In considering the report, Cabinet noted the significant shortage of secure Children’s Home provision both nationally and within London and costs associated with placements made given the vulnerability and complex needs of those requiring secure welfare provision.  Whilst the numbers of placements requiring this type of care were relatively low across London and within Brent members were advised that pressure was increasing on the system nationally as a result of the lack of capacity, with the opportunity therefore identified to develop and establish Secure Children’s Home (SCH) provision in London designed to support the provision of additional capacity and ensure more affordable local placements.  Members were advised that the initial capital funding required to establish the provision would be provided through the Department for Education, but this would be on the basis of a pan-London approach.

Members were supportive of the rationale outlined in relation to the proposal and approach towards the creation of a PLV, jointly owned by London Local Authorities, to oversee the development and running of the new SCH provision given the benefits identified and as a result Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To agree for Brent to become a member of a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, provisionally to be known as the Pan London Vehicle (“PLV”) in order to develop and then oversee the running of London’s Secure Children’s Home provision for a five-year period from 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2028 with break clause after three years as set out in Section 8 of the report; and in addition:

(a)    with reference to paragraph 4.5 in the report, to agree that the preference would be for the PLV to be hosted by London Councils in order to ensure appropriate political oversight from all participating boroughs;

(b)    to explore the potential to collaborate with other PLV members on future joint commissioning programmes.

(2)    To commit in principle to joint oversight and risk/benefit sharing, through the PLV, of the Secure Children’s Home (“SCH”) provision, for a five-year period to 31^st March 2028, including the build, service development and service commissioning phases, subject to ratification after the revision of the SCH business case, and renewable on a ten yearly cycle thereafter, with breakpoint after five years.

(3)    To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Children and Young Peoplein consultation with the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources and the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to make the final determination on the Council’s membership of the PLV, following completion of the revised SCH business case and legal documentation and, if appropriate, to enter into all the legal agreements, contracts and other documents on behalf of the Council required to implement and run any aspect of the PLV arrangements.