How we are working hard to support our children and young people

It is an immense responsibility I take very seriously. Over the past few months, I have spent time getting to know more about our services, the challenges and requirements and, most importantly, the young people who rely on us and how we support them. This has helped me to identify three priorities so that we keep focused on what matters most, our children and young people.

Firstly, we are working hard to increase the number of foster carers and kinship carers. I want every child who cannot live with their birth family to have a place that feels like home. That means attracting more carers while also valuing and supporting the incredible people who already do this vital work. We want to make sure that they feel appreciated and valued every day and are fully supported to continue providing the stability and care that transform children’s lives.

Secondly, we are reshaping the market for our children’s placements locally. That way more of our children can stay close to their schools, friends and communities here in Nottinghamshire. This isn’t about cutting costs. It is about getting children the right support at the right value through strong local partnerships focused on young people’s needs. Our work with regional partners in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottingham is based on a more collaborative and sustainable approach to caring for children. We are already reducing reliance on expensive external placements by creating more of our own council run homes and exploring opportunities to re-purpose unused council properties, meaning more local, stable and high quality places for children and young people to live in.

Thirdly, we are changing how we support families so that help is available earlier, before difficulties escalate. Through the Families First Partnership Programme and wider care reforms, we want more children to thrive safely at home, with support reaching families at the right time and in the right way.

This approach is already making a difference: fewer agency staff, more foster carers, more council owned homes offering high quality care and a new supported housing contract for 16+ young people that offers stability and significantly better value.

I am honoured to serve Nottinghamshire’s children and families and will continue listening, learning and focusing on doing what is right for children and helping families to thrive.

Councillor Rory Green, Cabinet Member, Children and Families, Nottinghamshire County Council