I am writing with a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Could I ask, for the financial years 2018-19, 2022-23 and 2023-24:
1. How much did your local authority spend on providing residential placements to children taken into the council’s care? Please provide a breakdown for each year, including a projected spend for the rest of 23-24 if it is available.
2. Of that figure, how much of the figure was spent on private-sector residential placements? Again, please provide a breakdown for each year and include a projected spend for the rest of 23-24 if it is available.
2018/19 – £13,158,434 (no spend on internal residential care).
2022/23 –£24,644,162 (no spend on internal residential care).
2023/24 – projected spend £26,371,259 (projected spend on internal residential care is £517,495).
3. How many children were taken into the council’s care for each financial year?
2018/19 – 298
2022/23 – 374
2023/24 (up to and including 20/02/2022 as recorded) – 290