UNREGULATED PROVISION USE
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.
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.
In response to questions 1 and 2, we can confirm that there are 5 young people aged 16 and 17 in unregistered placements and 8 under 16 years old.
To disclose the specific age of the youngest child in these specific circumstances would potentially identify them and would therefore be a breach of their personal data. This information is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
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.
£19,530 per week – We should clarify that whilst this was the rate, this placement only lasted for 1 day
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.
£529,126