Decision details

Aldine House have been granted Department for Education (DfE) funding for 5 projects.  The total amount of funding granted is £947,306 detailed as follows:

• Internal Doors Replacement (£527,300)
• External Lighting Replacement (£22,264)
• Playground Soft Pour (£27,036)
• Hair Salon (£23,706)
• Corner Infill (£347,000)

The purpose of this report is to provide detailed information on the individual projects that will be sent for approval at Co-operative Executive in January 2021, and for Sheffield City Council to accept the funding.

That the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families:

1.    Accepts the £947,306 of DfE funding for all 5 projects.  The benefits to our young people and staff will be immense.  Detailed below, more in-depth information regarding each project (1.1);

2.    Approves the Council entering into the grant agreement with the DfE on terms that are not materially different to those detailed within the report; and

3.    Notes the approval to spend will be sent for approval by the Co-operative Executive in accordance with the Capital process.

Note: As there is a very short deadline from DfE to accept the grant, the report is submitted under the Special Urgency Procedure and is removed from the Call-in Process.

1.    Young People

Young people at Aldine House will receive a larger amount of variety in their activities and curriculum which will enable a greater level of personalisation and choice. This will improve the overall health and wellbeing of young people placed within Aldine House. Aldine Houses’ facilities will be brought in line with other SCH’s in the estate and so young people’s experiences will also be commensurate with this. Ultimately the outcomes for all young people based at Aldine House will have the potential to improve.

2.    Staff

Staff at Aldine House will be significantly better resourced and supported to continue to provide a high level of support, safety, education and enrichment to the young people based here. Staff morale and retention will be boosted by better infrastructure and facilities which offer more opportunity to specialise and diversify. Staff will be safer through additional space and resource and so ability to manage chaotic young people apart when required.

Alternative Option 1 – Revenue Funding

An alternative option would be to use revenue funding. However, this is unnecessary due to successfully applying for funding from the DfE.

Alternative Option 2 – Decline the grant

The other option would be to decline the grant.  However, this would mean that Aldine House will continue to operate on its existing business plan. As a result, we will miss the opportunity of strengthening this and robustly safeguarding its future. The opportunity to add additional specialisms into the care and education offers will be missed and the young people at Aldine House will receive a less varied curriculum than elsewhere in the estate. Staffing space will continue to be of a premium and potentially increase staff stress in an already challenging environment. Pressure on resource to facilitate important meetings for young people will continue to be present.