1. Demand and Placement Profile
• What is the current number of looked after children placed in children’s homes by your authority?
26

• Of these, how many are placed:
o Within your local authority area?
Five.

o Outside of your local authority area?
21.

• How many children are currently awaiting a residential placement (if applicable)?
Two.

• What are the most common presenting needs requiring residential placements?
The most common presenting needs requiring residential placements include:
• Children typically aged between 13 and 15 years
• Complex needs, often linked to early childhood trauma
• Placement instability, including previous breakdowns of foster placements
• Neurodevelopmental needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Risks associated with child sexual exploitation (CSE)

There is also a current trend of a higher proportion of girls requiring residential placements compared to boys.

2. Out-of-Area Placements
• Does the authority currently place children outside of its local area?
Yes

• If yes:
o Approximately what percentage of residential placements are out-of-area?
Approximately 80%

o What are the primary reasons for out-of-area placements? (e.g. lack of local provision, matching needs, specialist requirements)
• Limited availability of suitable residential provision within the local authority area
• The need to appropriately match children’s specific needs, including complex or high-risk presentations
• Access to specialist provision (e.g. for children with complex behavioural needs, trauma, or neurodevelopmental conditions)
• To manage and reduce identified risks (including safeguarding concerns, exploitation, or offending behaviours), where placement away from the local area is necessary
• Capacity pressures and placement availability at the time of referral

• Is there a strategic objective to reduce out-of-area placements?
The local authority seeks to reduce out-of-area placements where appropriate, subject to the availability of suitable provision and the individual needs of the child.
There is an ongoing focus on increasing the availability of local placements and developing provision within the borough. However, out-of-area placements can remain necessary due to factors such as market availability, specialist provision requirements, and the need to achieve appropriate placement matching.

3. Placement Types and Needs
• What proportion of placements are:
o Emergency placements
This information is not currently held.

o Planned placements
This information is not currently held.

• What level of staffing is most commonly required? (e.g. 1:1, 2:1)
The level of staffing required is dependent on the individual needs of each child and the type of placement.

Typically, staffing levels range from standard residential staffing ratios to enhanced support, including 1:1 or 2:1 arrangements for children with more complex or high-risk needs.

Staffing levels are determined based on assessed needs, risks, and the provider’s ability to safely meet those needs.

4. Spend and Cost
• What was the total spend on children’s residential care placements in the last financial year?
• What is the approximate average weekly cost of:
o Standard residential placements
o Higher-support placements (e.g. 1:1 or 2:1)
Total gross spend on residential in 25/26: £8,055,500
Average weekly rate on residential in 25/26: £6,600

• Gross residential amount includes amounts paid by WBC which are later reclaimed from health. It does not include amounts which are charged directly by the provider to health or charged directly to education.
• Residential includes residential parent & baby assessments, residential schools and unregulated residential placements.
• Figures are rounded to the nearest £100.
• Level of support in residential is not recorded alongside the weekly rate so only the overall average rate is available.
• The weekly rate is based on the gross residential amount paid by WBC so excludes any amounts paid directly by health or education, but includes amounts that are paid by WBC Childrens Social Care and reclaimed from health.

5. Provider Market and Sufficiency
• How many residential care providers does the authority currently use?
24

• Are there any identified gaps in provision? If so, please specify (e.g. EBD, mental health, smaller homes, crisis placements).
Yes. The local authority has identified pressures within the residential care market, including:
• Limited availability of placements for children with complex emotional and behavioural needs (EBD)
• Insufficient specialist provision for children with co-occurring mental health needs and/or trauma
• A lack of smaller, high-quality homes able to support children requiring more individualised care (e.g. solo or low occupancy placements)
• Limited availability of crisis or emergency placements at short notice
• Challenges in securing placements for children with multiple and high-risk needs, including those at risk of exploitation

• Does the authority have a current sufficiency strategy or commissioning plan for children’s residential care? If so, please provide a copy or link.
Currently under review.

6. Commissioning and Access
• How does the authority source residential placements? (e.g. framework agreements, dynamic purchasing systems, spot purchasing)
Framework arrangements and spot purchasing

• Which frameworks or systems are currently in use?
South Central Framework

• Is the authority currently open to onboarding new providers? If so, via which route?
This is undertaken through established commissioning routes, including framework agreements and approved provider systems. Where required, the authority may also consider spot purchasing arrangements to meet individual placement needs.

7. Quality and Outcomes
• What are the key factors considered when selecting a residential placement provider?
• Ability to meet the child’s individual needs, including complex or high-risk behaviours
• Quality of provision, including Ofsted inspection outcomes
• Provider experience and specialism
• Location, where appropriate
• Ability to manage and reduce identified risks
• Availability within required timescales
• Cost and value for money

• What are the most common reasons for placement breakdown?
• The placement no longer being able to meet the child’s needs
• Mismatch between need and provision
• Escalation in risk behaviours
• Instability linked to trauma and attachment
• Safeguarding concerns
• Changes in circumstances requiring a different provision

• What outcomes are most important when assessing placement success?
• Placement stability
• Improved safety and reduced risks
• Engagement in education, training, or employment
• Improved emotional wellbeing
• Development of positive relationships
• Progress towards independence
• The child or young person’s views and feedback

8. Contact and Structure
• Please provide the structure of the team responsible for commissioning or placing children into residential care.
Head of Children’s Strategic Commissioning
Home Finding Team (including a Team Manager and Home Finding Officers responsible for sourcing and quality assuring external placements)

• Please provide a generic contact email or central point of contact for placement enquiries.
All enquiries regarding placements and commissioning should be directed to: thehomefindingteam@wokingham.gov.uk