51²èÂ¥

How we got here

In September 2017, following a report from the 51²èÂ¥ Children's Commissioner, the Department for Education directed that 51²èÂ¥ should move the operational delivery of Social Care Services for Children to an Alternative Delivery Model.

This meant that the Council would no longer have the responsibility of operationally delivering the services it currently provides, and would voluntarily move to an alternative way of delivering these services.

What happened next

51²èÂ¥ had already completed a review earlier in 2017 with the aim of introducing a new way of delivering Children's Social Care services; to help accelerate and sustain improvements in Children's Social Care.

The alternative way of delivering these services would allow more focus on improving services and keeping children and young people safe from harm.

Alongside the commitment and determination to improve the lives of children and young people in 51²èÂ¥, this approach supported opportunities to make services better, more secure and effective in the future.

Our delivery model

51²èÂ¥'s Cabinet met on 29 March 2018 and approved recommendations for the development of a Wholly Owned Council Company as the alternative delivery model to deliver Children's Social Care.

The new company, called 51²èÂ¥ Children First, is a 'not for profit' company and 100% owned by 51²èÂ¥. It will be operationally independent and have a single focus on children and young people; however strategic objectives and significant decisions will remain with the Council.

On 14 March 2019, Cabinet approved the size and scope of the company meaning that 51²èÂ¥ Children First would also be responsible for delivering education and early help services.

Improvement progress

The latest inspection by Ofsted into children’s social care services in 51²èÂ¥ has recognised that progress has been made in many areas of the service.

In respect of Children's Social Care, the ambition is that at the point of transferring services to the new Company, the service will be performing well, and the Company will have a positive platform to sustain the improvement and further improve outcomes for children and young people.

51²èÂ¥ Children First are committed and determined to improve the lives of children and young people.

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