Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Fostering reforms – regional end to end model
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Executive Decision Notice – 10 April 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE
PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by
Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon:
Title of decision FOSTERING REFORMS – REGIONAL END TO END MODEL
Reference No. 2026/1674
Date of decision Friday 10 April 2026
Call-in expiry date Friday 17 April 2026
Relevant Select
Committee
Children, Families & Education Select Committee
Relevant Wards All
Decision made
Cabinet Members making
the decision
Councillor Susan O ’Brien, Cabinet Member for Children,
Families & Education
Decision Agreed
That the Cabinet Member for Children, Families &
Education:
1. Approved Hillingdon’s continued involvement in
Foster in West London (FwWL) as one of the eight
Local Authorities within the region and to commit
to an expansion of its role including the
delegation of functions that will meet the needs
of our residents and meet the new legislative
requirements (listed in Appendix A of the
associated report ) in the tight timescale
(September 2026);
2. Approved London Borough of Hammersmith and
Fulham continue to act as the lead Local
Authority; and
3. Approved the delegation of decision making in
relation to the design and delivery of the new
FwWL model to the Corporate Director for
Children’s Service in consultation with the
Cabinet Member portfolio holder, to ensure
progress and delivery of the programme within
the required timeframes
Reason for decision The recommendations aim to ensure Hillingdon remains
aligned with national fostering reforms, retains influence
Executive Decision Notice – 10 April 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
over the design of the emerging end -to-end regional
fostering model, and secures the benefits of continued
regional collaboration. Continued participation in Foster with
West London enables the Council to shape and implement
the Government’s Renewing Fostering reforms locally,
strengthen foster carer recruitment, and increase the
number of children placed locally.
Retaining London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as
the lead authority provides stability, continuity and
established delivery capacity within the regional hub.
Delegating decision making authority to the Corporate
Director for Children’s Services is necessary to allow timely
progress on detailed design, financial planning and
workforce arrangements within tight national timescales,
ensuring Hillingdon can respond flexibly to DfE
requirements while managing financial and operational risks
effectively.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Option 1: Continue to be part of the FwWL Programme
(Recommended)
This option enables West London to shape a model that
reflects local needs while meeting emerging national
requirements. Progressing at pace may also increase the
likelihood of further government investment, given the
Minister’s emphasis on supporting authorities leading the
programme.
Ongoing engagement with regional partners and the DfE will
support alignment, maintain momentum, and ensure West
London can influence national design while preparing for
implementation.
Emerging data suggests clear opportunities to align and
strengthen fostering recruitment, to increase local carers,
enable more children to be placed locally, and reduce spend
on independent fostering and residential placements.
The financial implications of remaining in the programme will
require Hillingdon to identify sufficient, long-term funding.
Option 2: Not continue to be part of the FwWL
programme (not recommended)
Changing the fostering provision in Hillingdon without
regional or national collaboration would be challenging and
could disadvantage our children and carers by isolating
Hillingdon from other local authorities.
Executive Decision Notice – 10 April 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Although membership of a regional hub is not currently
mandated, exiting the programme would be a divergence
away from the current fostering reforms and clear
messaging from central government. Further it would inhibit
the regions’ ability to access future funding which will be
conditional on a regional model.
Classification Part II – Members Only and Not for Publication
Link to associated report That this report be declared as exempt from publication as
it involves the disclosure of information in accordance with
Section 100(A) and paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A,
in that the report contains information relating to any
consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations
or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations
matter arising between the authority or a minister of the
Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the
authority, and that the public interest in withholding the
information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.
Relevant Officer contact
& Directorate
Alex Coman – Children’s Services
Any interest declared by
the Cabinet Member(s) /
dispensation granted
N/A
Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in
[Internal Use only]
When can this
decision be
implemented by
officers?
Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only
from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:
5pm on Friday 10 April 2026
However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a
valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise
the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold.
Councillor scrutiny
call-in of this
decision
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice
may request to call-in this decision. The request must be before the
expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.
Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call-in App (link below) on their
devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be sought
from Democratic Services if required:
Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure)
Executive Decision Notice – 10 April 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The
Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access
to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.
This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive
decision, including links to the reports where applicable.
If you would like more information on this decision, please contact
Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email:
democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk.
Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including
Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group
Secretariats and the Public. Copies are also placed on the
Council’s website.
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