Purpose

This report proposes to engage
external expertise and capacity for up to 15 days to review the
‘as is’ position in respect of Care Experienced young
people following the outcome of the Ofsted inspection in November
2024 which graded the Council’s Children’s Social Care
services to be inadequate.

Decision

That the Interim Executive
Director (Children’s Services is recommended to engage
Leaving Care Training and Consultancy for up to 15 days at a total
cost of up to £10,000, based on £556 per day for
consultancy and £680 per day for training, to conduct a
review of Knowsley’s ‘as is’ position in respect
of Care Experienced Young People.

Alternative options considered

The option of not engaging external expertise
has been considered and rejected on the basis of the need to make
improvements in the service area following the outcome of the
Ofsted inspection.