Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 25, 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to approve capital funding of up to £1.5m in order to establish a new Ofsted-registered children’s home in Enfield for children with multiple, complex needs resulting from ongoing trauma, including those subjects to Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) orders.

Content: DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:         I.         Approve the budget envelope of £1.5m for the purchase of a property on the open market and for the adaptation works to support the use of a complex care home as set out in this report. This will be 50% funded by Council borrowing and 50% by a grant from the Department of Education (DfE).     II.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing & Regeneration for the purchase of a property on the open market to be adapted for use as a complex care home. A maximum purchase price will be set at £1m – the remaining budget will be used to extend and adapt the property to meet service needs.    III.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of People to approve project spend within the DfE grant & capital funding allocation to procure consultants and other resources, in accordance with Council Governance and Contract Procedure Rules as necessary to deliver the works to adapt the property for use as a complex care home.   IV.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of People to approve procurement and subsequent contract award for the provision of care services at the new children’s home.     V.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director of People to approve projected expenditure of the care services contract.