Purpose

This report seeks Cabinet approval to proceed with the design phase of the End-to-End Fostering Hubs programme, in line with the Department for Education’s (DfE) national initiative to create 10,000 additional foster carer places by 2029.

Decision

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the delegation of Derbyshire County Council Agency Decision Maker and panel administrator functions, in respect of foster carer approval, to Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Derby City Council as part of the Fostering For East Midlands Council hub and End to End Fostering arrangements;

2)    Approve Derbyshire County Council undertaking Agency Decision Maker functions, in respect of the approval of foster carers, on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Derby City Council when required as part of the Fostering for East Midlands hub arrangements;

3)    Approve the acceptance of a grant of £0.951M which was being paid to Foster for East Midlands Councils, of which Derbyshire County Council was a constituent member, to support the proposed programme; and

4)    Delegate authority to the Executive Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, to take all necessary steps to establish, implement and operate the regional end to end fostering arrangements on behalf of the Council.