Different Futures supports parents who have had multiple children removed from their care.  This is part of our strategy to reduce the need for children to be in care.  The report is to update members on the progress and outcomes for parents and children.

It was reported that Different Futures worked with birth parents who were no longer able to care for their child due to adoption or kinship care. Dedicated project workers offered a two-year support programme, with the option to access aftercare for an extra year if that support was still required. They sought to address individual needs to improve the current situation for the clients such as housing/homelessness, debt, mental health issues, drug/alcohol issues and employment. This assisted clients to become able to provide care for any future children.

The project coordinator and three project workers were funded by the County Council. The end of year 2 report provided a high-level overview of key performance data. The appointment of a third full time project worker, would allow the project to work with more parents across the county. The financial implications were reported, including the end of year savings for years one and two, which were cost avoidance rather than cashable savings. The annual report would be distributed across partner organisations and through wider circulation.

Questions and comments were invited, with responses provided as indicated:

·         The Chair commented that the statistical data was positive and to be congratulated.

·         It was confirmed that the savings shown in the report were cost avoidance savings for the County Council. There would be further time and savings for the police, courts and health services, amongst other agencies.

·         The additional project worker would give further capacity. The £44,000 investment was expected to yield a further £300,000 of cost avoidance savings.

·         There was a continual dialogue with clients and one of the conditions concerned using long-term contraception.

·         Information was sought about the potential numbers of families requiring assistance. It was projected that there would be about 36 cases for the next two-year period. Previously, there were approximately 120 cases per year.

·         Individual, tailored support was often required and some was specialist, with long waiting times. A fund had been established to commission some of the specialist support, where this was required.

·         The longer-term aims of the project were discussed. Some clients had decided not have further children. For others, the intensive support had helped to improve their lifestyles, mental health and housing security, as well as giving them a clear understanding of why their children had been removed previously. They would be asked to undertake a pre-pregnancy assessment and would be better equipped to raise children in the future.

·         It was confirmed that the cost avoidance savings were year on year.

·         Understanding the overall cost avoidance and time savings for other agencies would be useful. This information could be sought for inclusion in future annual reports.

·         It was confirmed that after the two-year programme there was the option to access aftercare for an extra year if that support was still required. However, the aim of Different Futures was to help people to be independent.

Resolved

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the 2018-2019 Different Futures end of year two annual report and the progress made against respective strategic priorities.