The work of staff in Childrens’ Services puts the welfare and well being of our children and young people at its heart. That is in spite of the shocking financial position left by the former Labour Administration and their legacy problems as well. Children Services Department has been on an improvement journey in the last few years but I am pleased since May 22 to see better management of data, better system efficiencies and better commissioning. It is these improvements that have enabled the delivery of substantial savings in Children Looked after Placements of £1.7 million and deep dives into individual care packages of Children with Disabilities delivers a saving of £324K while ensuring the care package meets assessed need. It is positive to note £65k to expand the Education Traded Offer already funding some salaries from its income taking pressure off the General Fund. None of the decisions in the Budget are easy but be assured there is no complacency. Risk is acknowledged and managed and as we continue the drive for efficiencies we continue to put children and young people at the heart of what we do.
So alongside the savings we are also investing in a number of Transformation Projects. Among them are £200K in managing demand at the Front Door investing in Early Help and preventative work. £225K in expanding our In House Foster Care wrapping support around our Care Experienced young people and care leavers and their foster carers saving too on the hugely costly Independent Care. £125K increasing capacity for respite care at Calleydown saving again on Independent Care. Continue to embed even further the work with schools communities health and partners for better services for our SEN pupils in mainstream schools through our Localities Programme. It is very good to see nearly £35 million available for Education Infrastructure through the Capital Programme as well as investing in more SEN places. Through a successful Government bid we are investing in a small Childrens Home for a very small number of young people with intensive work by specialist staff enabling them to then move on to specialist Foster Care. Local care for our local children and young people is want we want to see going forward
I support the Budget.
