Agenda item

The Committee has requested an update on children’s homes.  The Committee has invited Cllr John Howson, Cabinet member for Children, Education, and Young People’s Services, to present the report and has invited Lisa Lyons, Director of Children’s Services, Jean Kelly, Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care, and Charlotte Davey, Assistant Director – County Services, to attend and answer the Committee’s questions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

Cllr John Howson, Cabinet member for Children, Education, and Young People’s Services, attended to present the report. Lisa Lyons, Director of Children’s Services, Jean Kelly, Deputy Director for Children’s Social Care, and Charlotte Davey, Assistant Director – County Services, also attended to answer the Committee’s questions.

The Cabinet Member introduced the topic of children's homes, explaining the collaboration with the Department for Education (DfE) to increase the number of small, family-like children's homes in Oxfordshire. He highlighted the benefits of these homes in providing a more personal and supportive environment for children.

The Assistant Director provided an update on the development of new children's homes, detailing the progress of each home. Aspen House had opened recently, accommodating four children who were brought back into the county from out-of-county placements, and it had received a 'good' rating from Ofsted.

Peak House was ready to open, pending an initial Ofsted registration visit. Staff were in place and being utilised across other establishments until the home could officially open. Willow Bank was expected to open in autumn, following the model of Peak House.

Great Mead faced delays due to environmental concerns. Oat Hill required significant internal and external work, with planning permission and contractor issues causing delays.

The Assistant Director summarised the financial aspects, noting that the homes were coming in on budget, and any under-budget savings would be partially returned to the DfE.

Members asked about the current timeframe for getting children's homes registered, noting the complexity and lengthy process experienced in 2023. Officers advised that the process for getting children's homes registered had seen some improvements. In 2023, the timeframe was around 19 weeks from the point of having all necessary paperwork ready. By 2025, this timeframe had been reduced to approximately 12 weeks. However, it was acknowledged that the process could still take longer in some cases, due to the complexity of the registration process, including the requirement to have a registered manager and staff in place before applying for registration.

Members inquired about the number of children in unregistered placements and if Peak House could accommodate those needing Tier 4 beds for severe mental health issues or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Assistant Director informed Members that the number of children in unregistered placements has dropped from a peak of 15 to fewer than five thanks to efforts to find suitable registered placements.

The Assistant Director also explained how Peak House was designed for children who require intensive support and cannot live with another child. The facility provided a safe environment for children with severe mental health issues or PTSD and worked closely with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to ensure their needs were met.

Members inquired about private providers buying properties for children with disabilities, their registration process, and interaction with the Council. Officers explained that these providers need registration through Ofsted or the CQC, and they seek planning permission from district councils.

Concerns were raised about using unregistered County beds for children. The Assistant Director stressed adherence to registration standards for ethical and legal reasons, ensuring high-quality care. The Council used only registered placements and kept Ofsted informed for transparency, while providing daily support from a multi-agency team to children in unregistered arrangements.

Members inquired about expanding the children's homes initiative and staff preparation for new openings. Officers stated the Council would review current developments before further expansion to ensure positive outcomes. The Council was also part of the Southeast Regional Care Cooperative programme to manage residential care over the next three years. For staff preparation, the Council had a recruitment campaign, with new staff undergoing inductions in existing homes. Registered managers were appointed and assisted in other homes as needed.

Members inquired about the number of children in various placements (out of county, in county, in private homes) and progress in working with neighbouring authorities for specialist care. The Assistant Director and the Deputy Director of Children’s Services shared that the Council was caring for 777 children, including 80 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Of these, 66 were in privately run homes outside the county due to a lack of local specialist provisions. Oxfordshire had 99 beds in private settings, but the Council faced competition and high costs for these placements. Progress had been made through the Southeast Regional Care Cooperative programme to manage residential care collaboratively over the next three years, aiming to maximise capacity and ensure high-quality care in the region.

The cost differences between county-run homes and private sector care was discussed, with the Committee stressing that the priority should be children's well-being. The Assistant Director noted county homes cost around £4,500 per child per week, while private sector costs often exceeded £7,000, sometimes reaching £17,000 or £18,000. The Council stressed the focus should remain on providing quality care rather than solely financial considerations.

The Committee AGREED to a recommendation under the following heading:

• That the Council should encourage Ofsted to ensure the registration period for children's homes is as short as possible and thereby expedite the process of placing children in registered settings.