A failure to support children and young people with complex needs
is driving “astronomical” care costs and not improving children's
lives, a new report for the Local Government Association finds
today.
The number of children's home placements costing £10,000 or more
per week – the equivalent of over £0.5 million per year – has
increased from 120 to 1,500 between 2018 and 2023.
The new research, carried out by the National Children's Bureau
(NCB), warns the challenge of meeting the increasing complexity
of children's needs, along with a lack of appropriate homes for
these children and the linked challenges with commissioning those
placements, is leading to an escalation in very high-cost
placements.
Those participating in the research pointed to a range of factors
leading to increasing complexity of need, from the impact of the
pandemic and historic cuts to early help, to rising levels of
complex autism, mental health challenges and high instances of
self-harm.
With children coming into care later and at a greater point in
crisis than ever before, researchers found opportunities to
intervene earlier were being missed, from Sure Start-style family
support to special educational needs provision and mental health
support.
They also found that where children do need to come into care,
there is a significant challenge ensuring an appropriately
trained, trauma-informed workforce, and insufficient clinically
led models of care in homes.
The LGA is calling on the Government in the Spending Review to
ensure all councils receive sufficient funding to invest
long-term into family help, child protection, and child in care
and care leaver services.
It should also develop a cross-government strategy for children,
young people and families to ensure all partners are working
towards a shared ambition.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young
People Board, said:
“With more children needing help with increasingly complex and
challenging needs, what is most important is ensuring they get
the best care and support. However in many cases, a lack of
choice means provision is not fully meeting children's
needs.
“The astronomical costs of care placements mean there is less
money available for councils to spend on the earlier help
children so desperately need.
“It could not be clearer that we need to do things
differently.
“As local partners we have key roles to play, and the Government
can drive this from the top. By integrating planning and funding
across departments and using the forthcoming Spending Review to
make sure services have the resources they need, we can make sure
children receive the care they deserve.”
Caroline Coady, Deputy Director at NCB,
said:
“The research makes clear that there are complex and
intersectional factors driving high-cost placements. However, we
heard from providers, local authorities and other stakeholders
that an important part of the solution is relational
commissioning. This includes strong relationships and open
communication channels between local authorities and providers,
with senior leaders taking an active role in developing these
partnerships.
“Children and young people should be able to expect high
standards of quality that ensure they are safe and cared for. To
achieve this, it is vital we create clear and accessible
opportunities for young people to share their views and
experiences, with confidence that they will be listened to and
acted upon.”
Notes to editors
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LGA high-cost children's
social care placements survey
