Anne-Marie Carney, Children’s Commissioning Manager introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education, which outlined a Transforming Care Therapeutic Short Breaks Capital proposal and context on a capital bid process which was underway with NHS England for a grant to be used for children and young people experiencing levels of crisis or difficulty and presenting with behaviours of concern.

It was outlined that following a successful expression of interest stage, a full project proposal had been submitted to NHS England seeking capital fund to provide a facility for up to three young people at risk of attendance at Accident and Emergency, in need of assessment and treatment for mental health issues or in need of a placement away from their normal residence. It was noted that there was no similar provision currently in Wirral. The proposal included the appointment of a care provider for a 9-month period whilst a full tendering process was undertaken, and the Committee was advised that the option to support the facility in-house had been considered but it was felt that it was not achievable to recruit the necessary clinical oversight required for such a facility in a suitable timeframe.

The proposal included the facility for up to three young people and a member queried whether it was anticipated that long term admissions may result in a limited availability of spaces. In response, it was confirmed that modelling had been undertaken based on the existing tier 4 hospital admissions and that demand for places was usually limited to 2 or 3 beds at a time, consequently it was felt that the provision was sufficient for current demand. It was however anticipated that the demand for such places would increase in the future, therefore the Council would continue to explore further funding opportunities to create additional similar provision.

The Committee further considered the ongoing cost of the provision where it was confirmed that the anticipated annual cost based on 100% occupancy was £0.753m compared to the current cost of £0.878m for three externally commissioned placements. Further annual contributions from NHS England Transforming Care of £0.173m for two year helped to mitigate the risk of the occupancy being below 100%.

Resolved – That Policy and Resources Committee be recommended to:

1.  accept the capital grant monies of up to £700,000 from NHS England to enable the purchase by the Council of a property to be used for the purpose of providing a facility for children and young people with Learning Difficulties, Autism and presenting mental health difficulties along with the delivery of suitable services to such occupants;

2.  delegate authority to the Director of Law and Governance to finalise the associated grant agreement;

3.  delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, the Director of Children, Families and Education and NHS England to purchase a property at market value suitable for the purposes outlined within the report; and

4.  delegate authority to the Director of Children, Families and Education to procure a registered care provider for the first nine months of the facility’s operation.