Minutes:
The Head of Children’s Social Care reported that work is ongoing to identify a new property to replace the provision at Tow Law with a fit-for-purpose, smaller property. A progress update will be provided in due course.
Following on from the discussion at the previous meeting on plans to increase the number of specialist provisions for those young people with complex needs, the Head of Children’s Social Care informed the Panel that a two-year lease had been agreed on a property at Coxhoe, with a view to purchasing a property within that timeframe, for continuing care. The leased property will care for a specific young person and the care will be provided through the Council direct. A recruitment process for the home manager and staff is underway.
The Panel noted the new provision at Sacriston provides for two young people and formal registration with Ofsted is well underway. The work on the re-provision of the home on the Aycliffe site is progressing well, with young people expected to move in soon, following the Ofsted registration process.