Decision

1. that the Torbay Placement Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People 2026-2029 be approved;
2. that the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, be authorised to make minor amendments to the Strategy that do not materially change its direction or commitments; and
3. that delivery be progressed through the Placement Sufficiency Delivery Action Plan and the Budget Sustainability Plan for Placements, with progress and exceptions reported through existing governance arrangements.

Reasons for the decision

The Strategy provided a clear framework for meeting the Council’s statutory sufficiency responsibilities, improving local placement provision, supporting permanence planning, reducing reliance on high-cost external placements and strengthening accommodation pathways for care experienced young people.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option would be to defer approval of the Strategy, this option was discounted as it would have delayed implementation and weakened the Council’s response to current sufficiency pressures.  Not approving the Strategy was rejected as it would have left the Council without an up-to-date framework for meeting its sufficiency duty.