Council could bring children's services in-house

Reading Borough Council may take control of its children's services again

A council could bring its services for children back under direct control, according to a new proposal.

Reading Borough Council created Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) in 2018 after the council-run children's services were rated Inadequate by Ofsted.

But now, an independent body appointed to undertake a review of future options has suggested councillors consider bringing children's services back under council control.

Council leader Liz Terry said the council was committed to making sure the process did not negatively affect the children.

Children's services involves managing the health, care and education of children, and providing it is a statutory duty of the council.

The council asked the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to review the options for the future because BFfC's contract expires in March 2026.

Liz Terry thanked the staff at BFfC but said the time was right to review its future

Ms Terry said BFfC had "made progress" towards its ambitions but there remained "much work to be done" so the time was right for a detailed review.

"I want to place on record my enormous gratitude to BFfC staff, whose commitment and dedication to children in Reading is without question," she said.

"We are committed to ensuring those same children and young people are not affected as we go through this process."

BFfC employees would be transferred to the council in a Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) arrangement.

Di Smith, chair of BFfC, said the board supported the proposal.

"Given the national picture of increased costs and pressures in children's services, it is logical that councils, including Reading council, would want to have full control of delivery and expenditure," she said.

Other options include retaining BFfC, passing children's services to another company, or a hybrid to partly bring services into the council and partly outsource them to BFfC or another third party.

A decision is due to be made at the council's policy committee meeting on 18 December, which will then require full council approval in January.