Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the new Reducing the Number of Children Requiring Care Strategy.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Reducing the Number of Children Requiring Care Strategy for adoption as part of the Council’s Policy Framework.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

This strategy supports the strategic priorities of Children Social Care and Early Help to reduce the number of children who need our care.

(B)

To achieve the vision and aims of the Health and Wellbeing strategy, in particular, giving every child the best start in life and enabling all our children and young people to achieve their best outcomes.

(C)

The approach to Social Work, Gateshead CAN, is central to this strategy as Social Work is one of our greatest assets in achieving a reduction in the numbers of children coming into care and leaving care.

(D)

The approach to Social Work practice is not limited to one model or ‘way to do it’. Gateshead CAN is an overarching systemic and strengths-based approach, which recognises the interrelationships between Context, Action and Narrative (CAN).