See answers to previous information requests

1. The number of young people aged 16 to 25 who were accommodated in supported lodgings by your local authority under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, and the number who were accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, every year since 2019.
• 2019 – 2020
Section 17: N/A
Section 20: 0
• 2021
Section 17: N/A
Section 20: Fewer than 5
• 2022
Section 17: N/A
Section 20: Fewer than 5
• 2023
Section 17: N/A
Section 20: 0
• 2024
Section 17: N/A
Section 20: Fewer than 5

2. The numbers of supported lodgings carers on the books of the council every year since 2019 [by this we mean live-in carers who have been through an approval process, sometimes referred to as ‘hosts’].
2019-2020: 0
2021-2023: 1
2024: 3

3. The number of young people aged 16-25 placed in supported lodgings placements every year since 2019 [by this we mean placed with approved carers, sometimes referred to as ‘hosts’]. Please break this down by age group and legal status, including:
a) Young people aged 16-18 who are looked after or care leavers
b) Young people aged 18-25 who are care leavers
c) Of the young people in categories (a) and (b), how many were Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC, also referred to as Separated Migrant Children, SMC)

• 2019 – 2020
Aged 16-18: 0
Aged 18 -25: 0
• 2021
Aged 16-18: Fewer than 5
Aged 18 -25: 0
• 2022
Aged 16-18: Fewer than 5
Aged 18 -25: 0
• 2023
Aged 16-18: 0
Aged 18 -25: 0
• 2024
Aged 16-18: Fewer than 5
Aged 18 -25: 0

4. If the supported lodgings scheme is provided by a third party, please include the commissioning framework used to procure this service [the ‘supported lodgings scheme’ refers to a scheme that recruits and approves live-in carers].
In 2024, we conducted an open tender process to commission a third-party provider to deliver the Supported Lodgings Scheme. This scheme recruits, assesses, and supports live-in carers who provide accommodation and support to young people in need of a stable living environment.
The procurement was carried out in accordance with the public contracts regulations 2015 which ensures transparency, value for money, and alignment with strategic priorities. The open tender invited bids from suitably qualified organisations, and the successful provider was selected based on their ability to meet the service specification, demonstrate quality and safeguarding standards, and deliver positive outcomes for young people.