Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of People

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director of People which indicated that the City Council has a statutory duty to provide Supported Accommodation to persons under 18 who have been assessed as requiring accommodation or because they are owed a duty under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and duties towards homeless people under the Housing Act 1996.

 In 2013, following a period of lengthy consultation with all stakeholders, the City Council tendered for seven Supported Accommodation contracts to meet the varying needs of these young people. The contracts were implemented in December 2013 with the exception of one of the lots (referred to as Lot 7) that was not awarded due to bids not being received at an acceptable cost.

The contracts introduced significant changes to how this area of service operated; changes included the introduction of a single point of access and the differentiation of different levels of service to correspond with the different levels of need presenting.

Through the tender process, capacity was commissioned for 160 people in accommodation and 70 with floating support. However, since contract commencement, demand has been significantly more than available supply, which has resulted in a number of people being placed in alternative accommodation, including Bed and Breakfast, with some additional contracting taking place in order to provide capacity to meet this demand. This has placed significant financial and service demands on this area and, as a result, the expenditure has been in excess of the allocated budget. Statutory guidance confirms that Bed and Breakfast accommodation is not suitable for under 18 year olds.

Recently, one contracted provider has informed the City Council of their intention to terminate their contract from 31 January, 2015. In order to continue to provide viable Supported Accommodation beyond this date, a number of arrangements for additional capacity have been made. The fact that one contract is being terminated, plus contract Lot 7 not being awarded presents an opportunity to consider what is now required from Supported Accommodation for high level needs in order for the City Council to meet its statutory duties within the available resources.

The report contained actions and proposals to achieve short term stability post 31 January, 2015 and a longer term more robust service model for those with high needs within available resources.

A corresponding private report, detailing confidential financial matters was also submitted for consideration (Minute 18 below refers).

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member approves:-

  (1)  The extension of the existing short term contracts to 31 March

 2016 to provide service capacity in respect of young people with

 high level needs to ensure the City Council can continue to

 discharge its statutory responsibilities.

(2)  The development of a revised model for those requiring Supported Accommodation that have high level needs in order to ensure that available resources and service models are appropriately focussed and that people are supported to be fully independent.

  (3)  The varying of the existing Homelessness contract between

  Coventry City Council and the Salvation Army to provide

  accommodation with support for 16-24 year olds.

  (4)  That on delivery of Recommendation 3 above, that Bed and Breakfast accommodation is only used for people eligible for supported accommodation aged 18-24 on a short term basis where the alternative would be street homelessness. 

  (5)  That officers be requested to submit reports to the Cabinet Member at his meeting scheduled in March 2015 on:-

  (i)  A Policy regarding the appropriate use of Bed and Breakfast

  accommodation by the City Council.

  (ii)  An Action Plan detailing the level of support offered by

  various agencies to Supported Accommodation providers to

  better enable them to manage issues including substance

  misue, child sexual exploitation, anti-social behaviour and

  access to education, training and employment.

  (6)  That  a report providing an update on the proposed revised model for those requiring Supported Accommodation that have high levels needs be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at an appropriate time prior to the commencement of the tendering process.