Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 2, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 13.1 The Assistant Director for Cared for Services introduced the report which asked the Committee to accept the funding. It also outlined to the Committee the spending plan for the funding.     13.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:-   a)    Accept the funding and approve the spending plans for the Staying Close Project 2025-2027 funding so we can continue to deliver the service we are providing for our Staying Close cohort of young people. The funding and spending plans have already reviewed and approved by Children’s services senior leadership team and the Funder.     13.3 Reasons for Decision     13.3.1 As previously stated the Staying Close funding from the DfE is for the Staying Close project, he has spending plans in place and agreements from SLT and the funder to spend the money in the way that is outline in this report. We are asking that the committee also have some oversight of this, we are also asking the committee to be mindful that the grant is time limited and Staying Close require reporting demonstrating our project impact on the young people we work with.     13.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     13.4.1 The Staying Close funding is for the continuation of the Staying Close Project, as noted previously the Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill that is currently going through parliament seeks to make having Staying Close a duty for all local authorities. No other options were considered on this basis.