Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People seeking formal approval for the establishment and implementation of Oldham’s Staying Close model.

The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services, which advised that a decision was required to formally approve the establishment and implementation of Oldham’s Staying Close model, which provided an enhanced, relationship?based package of practical and emotional support for care leavers aged 16 – 25 years, whose welfare required provision beyond the statutory Local Offer.

The Staying Close programme strengthened early planning from age 16 years, ensuring that each eligible young person had a Trusted Person, improved access to and sustainment of suitable accommodation, and coordinated multi?agency support across health, wellbeing, education, employment, and relationships.

Approving the model, detailed in the Executive Director’s report, would enable Oldham Council to address significant local needs — including housing pressures, mental health inequalities, and risks of homelessness and social isolation; whilst embedding a sustainable, multi?agency approach that improves long?term outcomes for care leavers.

A positive decision would also ensure compliance with the national Staying Close programme, secure alignment with Oldham’s existing Leaving Care pathways, and enable the Council to utilise the allocated DfE grant funding (£331,091 per year for three years) to deliver a high?quality, evidence?based offer that represented an “invest to save” opportunity through reduced crisis demand, improved tenancy sustainment, and better EET outcomes.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To do nothing and to continue with the existing care leaving provision. Under this option Oldham would continue delivering its statutory Local Offer for care leavers without implementing the enhanced Staying Close model.

Option 2 – Partial/limited implementation of Staying Close. This option would option would introduce some elements of the model, for example, a Trusted Person offer or some housing?related support—but without creating the full Staying Close Team, multi?agency pathway, or full accommodation, wellbeing and EET support package.

Option 3 (preferred Option) – The full implementation of the Staying Close Model. Under this Option, Oldham Council implements the full Staying Close model as set out in the Delivery Plan, including: a dedicated Staying Close Team; dual adviser/Trusted Person roles; early planning from age 16; multi?agency referral panel; mental wellbeing navigation; tenancy sustainment support; group skills development; digital engagement; comprehensive data and evaluation; and strong governance via the Corporate Parenting Board.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet approves the acceptance of the grant money, detailed in the submitted report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services, with the purpose to establish and implement Oldham Borough Council’s Staying Close model.