Implementation, options and recommendations for our Looked-after Children Placement Strategy
Consultation closed: 18 August 2019
Implementation
This will be a phased approach that will be as follows:
Phase 1 – foster care
Phase 2 – 16+ semi-independent living
Phase 3 – residential
Options considered
For each phase listed above (1-3), we have considered a number of options that looked at the following five models. These were:
Option A
Continue as we are (which would mean some buying of placements in an unplanned way).
Option B
Provide all services in-house (i.e., we would directly deliver these services itself).
Option C
Provide all services externally (i.e., we would commission these services from external providers).
Option D
Operate a mixed approach of in-house and external provision.
Option E
Operate a mixed approach of in-house and external provision but ring-fence some ‘blocks’ of provision to meet specific needs.
Assessment of options
Each option was assessed against the criteria of desirability, financial viability and feasibility of implementation. These can be viewed in Appendix A of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny report (PDF).
Recommendations
Having looked at all the options, we recommended that we take the following approach:
Phase 1, foster care – option E
To have a mix of in-house and external (IFA) fostering placements, but clearly define what we would use each type for, and commission some ‘blocks’ of provision to meet specific needs.
Phase 2, 16+ semi-independent – option E
To have a mix of in-house and external semi-independent placements, but clearly define what we would use each type for, and commission some ‘blocks’ of provision to meet specific needs.
Phase 3, residential care – option B
Provide all services in-house (with a potential framework of national providers for out of area placements).
Please note
This consultation is a summary. For more information, please see the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny report (PDF).