8 June 2009 Our ref: RQST00002443831

J Cassidy

[FOI #12177 email]

Request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

I refer your correspondence dated 19 May 2009 requesting the following information :

1) Any information you hold, including emails and attachments,

reports, briefings, memos, notes of meetings etc. With regards the

'Fir Court Project' as mentioned in the online letter:

"If you are in agreement with this proposal, we could also look at

the evaluation of the Fir Court Project which you agreed to fund

for a further six months."

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/9570/response/26398/attach/13/22%20April%2008%20Updated%20Letter%20to%20Brian%20Kinney.doc

and

2) Any information you hold that discusses the UKAB UASC reform

proposal to disperse Children from English local authorities to

Glasgow, specific to whether the children, would remain entitled to

England and Wales Children Act(s) and subsequent Children (Leaving

Care) Act support? As no other such provision, to the best of my

knowledge appears to exist in Scottish child care law. These duties

apply to Children upon arrival in the UK (England and Wales

specifically) and therefore I am unaware of any reason why these

duties and post 18 year old duties would cease by mere dint of the

Children being dispersed to Scotland. LAC13 (2003) guidance on

these duties is set out in and are also mentioned in detail in the

so called Hillingdon Judgement, which concerns that authorities

unlawful practices.

I can confirm that the Council is treating your request as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Request (1)

The “Fir Court Project” referred to in the letter is a project run by the Mungo Foundation, commissioned by Glasgow City Council. The project provides supported accommodation for 16-18 year old UASC males. It has been running for a number of years now. It is not possible to release all the information held by the Council on the project as a lot of it includes the personal details of the young people themselves. In addition, if the project were to be extended, it may have to be put out to tender and this would involve an update of some of the information currently held. If you require further information, then it would be helpful in assisting us to supply the information you require if you could outline the particular areas you would like more information on.

Request (2)

General discussion about the UASC reform programme never reached this level of detail. Glasgow City Council cannot therefore comment on which legislation would be used. Before Glasgow City Council would undertake to accommodate and support UASC dispersed from English and Welsh authorities, the matter would be considered and a report would be prepared and go to the appropriate Council Committee. Any such report would then become a public document.

I hope the above information is helpful.

If you are dissatisfied with the way Glasgow City Council has dealt with your request you are entitled to require the Council to review its decision. Please note that for a review to take place you must:

The Solicitor to the Council

Glasgow City Council

City Chambers

George Square

Glasgow G2 1DU Email: [email address]

You will receive notice of the results of the review within 20 working days of receipt of your request. The notice will state the decision reached by the reviewing officer as well as details of how to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner if you are still dissatisfied with the Council's response. You must request an internal review by the Council before a complaint can be directed to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Gibson

Senior Officer

Rights & Enquiries Section

Social Work Services