Children’s Commissioner’s reports on the care system
Commenting on the Children’s Commissioner’s reports on the care system, ADCS President Jenny Coles said:
On placement sufficiency
“The suite of reports published by the Children’s Commissioner highlight a number of issues that ADCS has been raising for some time around the number of available homes and the role of private equity in residential care. Ensuring that children in care have a secure, consistent and caring home to stay in is one of the highest priorities for all local authorities. In some cases, moving homes can be positive, necessary and in the best interests of the child in question, or for other children in the same place. Indeed, sometimes there is a need to offer short term placements to support good matching processes between families and children. Unfortunately, finding the right home, at the right time and in the best location for a growing number of children in our care is becoming increasingly difficult because we face a national shortage of placements of all types. In our recent submission to the Treasury’s spending review, we called for capital investment to support local authorities to re-enter or further develop their in-house children’s home offer on an invest to save basis; over time needed revenue funding would be released to cover the running costs.”
On private equity in residential care
“Children’s services have long operated in a mixed economy with private, voluntary, charitable and community providers but multi-million-pound mergers between providers are becoming commonplace. Private equity is driving rapid changes in ownership, financial models and it is driving up risk too. Some of these providers offer excellent provision, yet market forces alone cannot address the capacity, quality or cost challenges as well as the growing geographical imbalance in residential provision. If the Treasury were to provide local authorities with the funding we need to develop and shape the market in line with the needs of the children in our care, the long term benefits for children will far outweigh the short term costs.”
On unregulated provision
“The term ‘unregulated’ does not mean unchecked, unsuitable or unsafe. Independent or semi-independent provision can be the right thing for some young people when it is used as part of a planned process as a stepping stone to independence with a support plan in place; wrap around support might be part of the package and this is often highly tailored. These kinds of placements, such as supported lodgings, are more often used for young people who are 16 or over who need some level of support, but not full-time care. In cases where this type of provision is used for young people under 16, it is never an easy decision but there are often few alternatives if multiple registered children’s homes have refused placement requests. The government has committed to undertaking a review of the care system and this must commence as soon as possible so these issues can be addressed.”
ENDS