Decision details

GREATER MANCHESTER HOUSE PROJECT COLLABORATIVE

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decision:

(1) That the intention for Trafford Council to participate in the House Project be noted.

 

(2) That approval be given to the making of any necessary agreements with other local authorities for the placing of staff at the disposal of those other authorities in relation to the House Project.

 

(3) That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Children's Services to agree terms and conditions for the placement of Staff at the disposal of other Local Authorities in consultation with the Corporate Director for Governance and Community Strategy for the purposes of the House Project.

Reasons for the decision:

The House Project approach originated from a conversation between young people and staff in a Local Authority. It has been subsequently developed phases as part of the DfE Innovation Programme and the Charity was established to not only support Local House Projects but to gather the learning, codify the fidelity and drive improvements as a learning organisation. The framework for the House Project has supporting evaluations from both Cambridge and York University. The Manchester project has been established and the model of GM collaboration enables Trafford to trial this approach on a smaller scale, sharing risk and reduces initial investment to test the effectiveness. Care leaver provision within the LA falls in to the regulatory inspection frameworks conducted by Ofsted and whilst not an evaluation partner their feedback of local House Projects that they have inspected are positive. Engaging in the GM House Project provides the opportunity to improve the outcomes of Trafford care experienced young people, address one aspect of our sufficiency challenges and create longer term savings as an alternative to externally commissioned placements and future tenancy breakdowns in adulthood.

Alternative options considered:

To continue commissioning external placements to support young people develop their independent living skills and for young people to continue the current pathway to applying to independent tenancy agreements. This would not necessary support the gaining formally recognized skills accreditation and training it would further not ensure consistent access to the ongoing practical and emotional, trauma informed support the House Project can offer and so the alternative does not offer best value for money.  Trafford’s Sufficiency Strategy has identified current practice as a challenge and the House Project is an option to address the sufficiency challenge.

Publication date: 07/03/2022

Date of decision: 28/02/2022

Decided at meeting: 28/02/2022 - Executive

Effective from: 15/03/2022

Accompanying Documents: