Freedom of information response
LAC Placements
1. What is the total number of Looked After Children (LAC) aged 16 and 17-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Please provide the number of these individuals in such provision at the point this request is answered. Registration became mandatory in October.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-bans-unregulated-accommodation-for-young-people-in-care#:~:text=The%20measures%20mean%20that%20from,homes%20with%20no%20meaningful%20oversight.
2. What is the total number of LAC under the age of 16-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Directors of Children’s Services typically authorise this directly. Please also provide the age of the youngest child placed in such provision.
COST OF ALL LAC PLACEMENTS
3. What is the highest weekly cost paid to a provider in the period April 1st 2022 to date for an LAC placement in a children’s home? Please provide any mitigating detail (e.g. 3-to-1 care) if you believe it to be relevant to the high cost.
4. What is the highest annual cost paid in the 2022/2023 financial year for an individual LAC’s placement in children’s home(s)? Please provide the total annual cost if the child has been placed in multiple placements.
I would be grateful if you could use the attached response template to provide your figures. If you represent multiple local authorities, please provide figures for all authorities with a breakdown for each one.
1. What is the total number of Looked After Children (LAC) aged 16 and 17-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Please provide the number of these individuals in such provision at the point this request is answered. Registration became mandatory in October.
As of the 31st October there were 52 young people aged16 and 17 years placed in unregulated provision (Semi-Independent Accommodation). Ofsted have been clear that Providers are required to submit applications to register by 28th October 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofsted-to-start-registering-supported-accommodation-providers-from-apri
2. What is the total number of LAC under the age of 16-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Directors of Children’s Services typically authorise this directly. Please also provide the age of the youngest child placed in such provision.
Less than 5, we cannot supply the age of the youngest child as this may identify them given the small number of children in such situations
3. What is the highest weekly cost paid to a provider in the period April 1st 2022 to date for an LAC placement in a children’s home? Please provide any mitigating detail (e.g. 3-to-1 care) if you believe it to be relevant to the high cost.
£20,556 pw including 3-1 additional support
4. What is the highest annual cost paid in the 2022/2023 financial year for an individual LAC’s placement in children’s home(s)? Please provide the total annual cost if the child has been placed in multiple placements.
£647,637