New homes to be created for Calderdale's looked after children if leaders agree to plans

Buying property to create new homes for Calderdale’s looked after children is a move likely to be approved by the council’s Cabinet when it meets on Monday.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam WilkinsonCalderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson

Calderdale Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board have long been pressing for more “in house” provision to home as many children who need such care packages in the borough as the authority can.

The board recently discussed the latter again and recommended to Cabinet that it speed the process up as a matter of urgency.

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Board members have frequently expressed concern that third party packages requiring housing can be “extortionate”, which some specialised placings costing up to thousands of pounds a week.

Board members also believe housing the children in their own areas where possible is beneficial for the young people, helping produce better outcomes for them.

If Cabinet agrees to follow the recommendation, it would require the need for additional finance to be identified for the running costs of additional homes as well as the employment of additional residential care staff.

But the more placings can be provided in house, the more savings on the budget can be made and the project should be viewed as one of invest-to-save, says the board.

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Cabinet will consider current provision and the potential purchase of properties to provide additional in-house residential children’s homes.when it meets from 6pm on Monday, February 8, in virtual form with the meeting live streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) said the council was absolutely committed to providing the very best opportunities for the borough’s looked after children and one part of this is ensuring they can live in a safe and suitable home.

“We’re already looking for ways to strengthen our in-house provision.

“This includes developing new residential provision in Calderdale as well as improving and extending our existing provision.

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“I’m pleased that the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board has highlighted this topic for consideration and look forward to discussing ways in which we can further our support for our young people,” he said.

The council is responsible for the care of young people who cannot safely remain with their families, finding placements for them in foster care and residential homes.

This corporate parenting role is something the council takes very seriously and it does all it can to ensure that children who are looked after have every opportunity and receive the best quality care.

There will still be occasions when children need to be placed outside the borough – in rare circumstances this can be when it is in the child’s best interests to be placed away from home.

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