West Sussex County Council initiative ‘Children’s Homes Collaborative’ has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Innovation in Public Private Partnerships’ category at the MJ Achievement Awards 2025.
This recognition celebrates the work of the Corporate Parenting Senior Leadership Team and how this scheme has contributed to significant improvements within Children’s Services over recent years.
The nominated project will deliver thirty local children’s homes placements over a 2-year period as a direct alternative to an unregistered provision, as well as replacing some short-term crisis placements and out of county homes that are currently being used.
The scheme also aims to provide a staff and leadership academy which, once fully operational, will provide two hundred new and progressive job opportunities within the county.
Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills, said: “Keeping people safe from vulnerable situations is one of the key priorities in Our Council Plan and schemes such as the Children’s Home Collaborative play an important role in helping us achieve this.
“It will be encouraging to see an increase in home placements which we expect will lead to more positive outcomes, such as higher educational attainment for young people, improved family relationships, and stronger local economies.”
The MJ Awards are one of the most prestigious events in the public sector calendar, bringing together forward-thinking councils, and are held to reward great work, brilliant people and innovative concepts which positively impact their communities.
The awards ceremony is due to take place on Friday 20 June. You can find out more information on the MJ Awards webpage.
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