Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the Medway Sufficiency Report which set out how Medway Council would meet the placement needs of its current and future Children in Care and Care Leavers and improve their outcomes in light of an understanding of their needs and current provision.

The report stated that the scope was not just restricted to just making good quality placements; the intention was to co-ordinate the range of activity across Children’s Services, including a clear focus on supporting families to stay together, wherever it was safe to do so, thus minimising the need for children to come into care, or supporting their timely return to their families.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 25 March 2014 and its comments were set out in an addendum report.

The report included a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form at Appendix B to the report. This indicated that a full assessment was not necessary.

Reasons:

The Medway Sufficiency Report is set within the context of national policy, legislation and guidance. The purpose of this document is to set out how Medway Council will meet the placement needs of current and future children in care and care leavers, and improve their outcomes, in light of the council’s understanding of their needs and current provision.