Comment on CCN, LIIA and Newton report

Chris Munday, Chair of the ADCS Resources & Strategy Policy Committee said:

“This report outlines many of the pressing issues ADCS has been highlighting with government regarding the move to regulate semi-independent accommodation for 16 and 17 year-olds. No child should live in unsafe, unsuitable accommodation and we should be working collectively to maintain a sharp focus on improving standards for all children in care. However, there is a very real risk that this will lead to providers terminating their services at a time when the system is already under extreme pressure as the number of children in our care increases year on year. Any loss of capacity in the supported accommodation sector at this time would be catastrophic.

“ADCS supports the intention of improving services and support for young people to ensure they have the best possible experience, but we urge government to avoid any unintended consequences by allowing the sector more time, via a phased approach, to meet the standards. Crucially, this must be met with the right funding for the sector which remains wholly inadequate. We face an ever-shrinking number of private providers who can pick and choose which children to accept and at what cost despite local authorities being the sole purchaser. ADCS has long called for the government to initiate a shift away from profiteering in the placements market and invest, or help local authorities invest in, new, not for profit provision. The cost of placements is very worrying and financially problematic, but we also question whether the current offer meets the needs of children today, particularly where their needs are increasingly complex.”

ENDS

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