Transformational £2.2m plan to open 4 children's homes that would take the profit out of the care system

A transformational £2.2m plan to support the development of 4 'not for profit' children's homes in the Liverpool City Region has been unveiled.  The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be asked to contribute £800,000 to the Juno project that will see 10 homes open in the next 5 years, the 1st 2 of which will be in Oxton and Wallasey on the Wirral.  Additional properties have also been identified in Sefton and Halton.

Juno plans to disrupt the model for children's homes by creating opportunities for children to stay close to their local area and by removing high profits from the system. An estimated 57 jobs are to be created through the plan which will include an active recruitment campaign, to build the team for their 1st Wirral home opening in early 2023.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a loving family with a safe, secure home to call their own. Yet, for some young people in our community, situations beyond their control can mean they find themselves living outside their family home for extended periods of time. When that happens, I want to make sure we can provide them with the reassurance of knowing they won't need to leave their local area. Working with Juno and our local Councils, we want to build a safety net that will mean a child's life is disrupted as little as possible by making sure they don't need to move School, or move away from their friends, at a time when they need stability the most. We are turning the broken model of children's care homes on its head by moving away from a model that profits off children's struggles and instead remembering that they are there to be nurtured and helped. This is the difference devolution makes; giving Regions like ours the opportunity to invest in life-changing projects that help those in our society who need it most, and ensure we can reap the benefits of secure, local jobs for our residents. Working together, we're building a Region where no 1 is left behind."

The Combined Authority has been in dialogue with We are Juno CIC, a company set up to run the scheme, since 2021. Juno has so far been funded through £625,000 of charitable investments from the National Lottery, the KPMG Foundation and the Segelman Trust.

£2.2m was needed in total to launch the project, meet initial running costs and establish the management structure. Juno has secured a £1m Wirral Council loan, £400,000 from local social investors and, under this proposal is looking to secure the remaining £800,000 from the Combined Authority's Strategic Investment Fund.

Recommending funding approval, a report to the Combined Authority says the number of children in care in England rose sharply over the last decade to nearly 81,000 in 2021.

A Competition and Markets Authority analysis of Children's Social Care found:- "the largest private providers of placements are making materially higher profits, and charging materially higher prices, than we would expect if this market were functioning effectively."

A Government commissioned Independent Review of Children's Social Care reiterated the Competition and Markets Authority view that the care market was:- 'broken.'

Juno is proposing an 'alternative social value model' which leases properties, charges a:- 'cost plus' price per child and generates a proportionate surplus to reinvest in further homes and a delivery model entirely focused on care. Juno has been developed collaboratively with Local Authorities and young people from across the Liverpool City Region.

Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, Cllr Janette Williamson, said:- "We are determined to fix this broken market in which private companies are making huge profits from looking after some of society's most vulnerable children. We want to see a sustainable not for profit system in which children are cared for locally in homes shaped by young people who have experienced care. We believe this is the right model to achieve those aims."

Juno CIC is fully supported by Liverpool City Region based Capacity who intend to develop further once the 1st homes are established.

Juno has provided financial modelling that shows it could generate surpluses, whilst providing high levels of care and enhanced terms and conditions for staff. Surpluses would be used to work collaboratively with Local Authorities to plan and develop future homes based on local need.

This would be an opportunity for the Liverpool City Region to lead transformational change for the care sector however, it requires significant support and funding to grow and fulfil Juno's plans.

Capacity Director of Children's and Strategic Lead for Juno, Sophie Clarke added:- "There are very few not for profit homes in the Liverpool City Region, and very few across the country. It's a sector dominated by profit making organisations, so we've created Juno as a way to really disrupt this and help create quality and not for profit alternatives for children. Further funding from the CA will help us do just that and build homes that have been led and shaped by the voices of care experienced young people."
 

NWBLT sets out stall to drive positive change in the North West

THE North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), an organisation of business leaders in the North West who aim to drive change in the Region, has unveiled a major rebrand to reinforce its position as a power for good in the North West.

The new brand, developed in partnership with full service brand and communications agency Agent, reflects NWBLT's position as a voice for business and reinforces its mission to lead, inspire and harness the power of business to help the North West prosper.

Since its founding in 1989, NWBLT has worked tirelessly to initiate significant change for good, bringing together leaders who share an ambition of placing the North West as the UK's best Region to do:- business, work, live and invest. Members include leaders from influential North West organisations, such as Bruntwood, BASF, Electricity NW, EY, CGI, Accenture and Assura, who work together for the benefit of the Region socially, culturally, environmentally, and economically.

NWBLT exists to articulate and highlight the view of major business leaders on key issues which make a real difference to the Region's economy to local, Regional, and national decision makers. It brings to light innovation and best practise, and encourages collaboration across the North West, not only in business, but with Government.

The organisation has firmly established itself as a driving force for positive and influential change in the North West, and as such required a brand identity to reflect this and clearly communicate who it is, what it does, and its mission in the North West.

With Agent, NWBLT worked collaboratively to develop a voice that would reinforce its position in the North West and encapsulate its value. Following a thorough strategic process of engagement with high level stakeholders, the re-brand maintains NWBLT's exciting mission, while introducing a more aligned and consistent personality that enables a better understanding of its impact in the Region.

With the new identity, which welcomes a brand new website, logo and various creative assets, NWBLT and Agent have worked to embody the organisation's conviction to making the North West a powerhouse.

Unveiling its new look and voice, NWBLT has developed a brand which will ensure the organisation is situated where it needs to be to continue to drive positive business in the Region. It welcomes a new brand architecture and guidelines to better represent both how NWBLT positions itself, and how it works with its members to set positive change in motion.

CEO at NWBLT, Emma Degg, said:- "It is over 3 decades since the North West Business Leadership Team was founded. In that time much has changed; but the original objective of our founders remains true and sound. All leaders have a responsibility to work together for the benefit of the communities we are a part of. Agent has completed a fantastic piece of work that we hope will help to underpin our work in the decades to come."

Chairman at NWBLT, Jonathan Murphy, said:- "We are delighted that Agent has developed such an exciting new brand for the North West Business Leadership Team. This is the culmination of over 12 months' work bringing together our stakeholders and members to reflect on the important work of the Team and look to the future. Our commitment to work together for the benefit of the North West is reflected in the new design alongside our mission to initiate significant change for the good of the Region."

CEO at Agent, Paul Corcoran, said:- "NWBLT bring together some of the Region's very best responsible business leaders. It's a partnership that drives real positive change in our Region and therefore it needed a brand identity and presence that reflects the passion, commitment and talent of those involved. For us, aligning with organisations who share our commitment and passion for making good work is key, so it was a no brainier that we would bring together our strategy, digital and creative teams to help better communicate the brilliant work and ambitions of NWBLT."

To find out more information about NWBLT, visit the new website.