Minutes:
Officers provided an update to committee on Southwark homes for children outlining the presence of a board who are working on developing more high-quality homes. Confirmed that Olive House children’s home has now opened and has been classed as outstanding on all categories following an inspection. The inspection was very child focused involvement children and young people in the process.
Other key issues covered:
· Noted less children in care and efforts to ensure children live locally and use of kinship carers
· Have seen improved placement stability and work to see how young people can be supported
· Noted the corporate parenting committee annual report and housing allocations policy opening 1-bedroom properties to young people. Further work required at the governance level in the allocation policy
· Growing and supporting foster carers and local placements. Confirmed that by end of the year 10 -11 foster carers to be recruited
· Reunification. Work to try and enable children to return home. A mother had commented that if she had been given support on a par with foster carers, that she could have continued to look after her child
· Priority to reduced high-cost placements as not always the best or good outcomes for children and young people. Growing foster care options and supporting reunification
· Corporate parenting strategy to be reviewed at the end of March 2026, awaiting Brightspots input.
Discussion arising
· Foster care recruitment issues partly linked to housing but a societal shift in fostering and not seeing the good news stories every day
· Update on staffing situation at home
· Higher cost placements and commissioning. Requested that this be looked at the next corporate parenting committee in April 2026
· Request for letter to be drafted to Josh McAlister, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing to come and speak to young people and about what doing currently and plans for the future.