Purpose

Children's Homes Strategy and Homes for children sufficiency

Decision

Resolved

That Cabinet

1)    Considers and comments on the progress made in delivering Warwickshire County Council's Homes for Children Sufficiency Strategy and the improvements achieved in local residential, fostering and supported accommodation provision;

2)    Supports a new phase of Warwickshire County Council-run children's homes through the development of four additional homes between 2026 and 2030, noting that separate investment decisions will be required.

3)    Authorises the Executive Director for Children & Young People to progress a detailed business case and development opportunities in partnership with Warwickshire Property and Development Group Limited (WPDG) and the wider developer market to support delivery of the proposed homes programme; and

4)    Authorises the Executive Director for Children & Young People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children, Families, Education & SEND to write to the Minister for Children and Families seeking improvements to the administration of Ofsted registration processes and greater national action to address excessive profiteering within the children's residential care market.