Future Of Children's Services On Isle Of Wight Under Council Scrutiny

The Isle of Wight Council is set to take another step towards resuming control of its children's services next week.

Senior councillors will consider proposals to take back overall leadership and management of all children's services functions, including education, when they meet on Thursday (14 September).

Today's Cabinet report follows Hampshire County Council's request to end the current, decade-long strategic partnership arrangements from 31 January 2024, in order to focus on children in its own county. 

The partnership was initiated by the Department for Education at what was a time of significant challenge for the Island’s educational provision, and its social care services for vulnerable children. 

Over time, the two authorities have worked diligently together to improve standards in these areas and to share and strengthen the Island’s overall leadership of children’s services. 

The partnership has evolved over the years to one where the Island can now look to the future with renewed resilience, strength and good support for local children and families. 

Today's report reflects the council's commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient transition — one which not only maintains good standards of practice, but continues to deliver improvements with minimum disruption to services.

To help achieve this, the paper is recommending a bespoke 'buy-back' arrangement, initially for a period of 12 months, enabling the council to purchase specialist service support from Hampshire. 

This could be where there is a cost benefit to the Island or where there is a national shortage in expertise, such as the educational psychology service, but are essential to a high performing service.

Central to a successful transition will be the appointment of a director of children's services that has sufficient reputation and standing, and comes from a local authority which is rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

The current strategic partnership costs the council around £1.64 million each year. In addition, there is a £1.2 million annual charge for support services, such as school improvement and out of hours social work support.

The new 'in-house' structure is expected to cost the Island council around £2 million. 

Other options for the future of the service — including creating a new strategic partnership with a different organisation; creating a not-for-profit trust outside the control of the council or aligning children's services with adult social care under one directorship — are not being recommended.

Council leader and education lead, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said:

"The council's Cabinet will meet next week to decide the best way forward.

"Our first priority must be to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to whatever new partnership or arrangement is best for us going forward. The issue is of such fundamental importance to the future of the Island, that nothing less is appropriate.

"Today's report and recommendations are the first steps as we move forward with a new focus on how we can develop and deliver the very best solutions for children's services and education on the Island for our children’s futures.”

The Cabinet report can be read in full on the council's website.