I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to your local authority's commissioning arrangements for Residential Family Assessment Centres (RFACs). I would be grateful if you could provide responses to the following questions:

1. Does your local authority currently hold any contracted or framework arrangements with Residential Family Assessment Centres for the provision of residential parenting assessment services? If so, please confirm:
a) Whether this is managed via a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), preferred provider list, spot purchasing, or another arrangement.
b) The name of any procurement framework in use, and the body through which it is administered.
c) The current expiry or review date of any such arrangements.

2. How many families were placed by your authority in a Residential Family Assessment Centre in each of the following financial years:
a) 2022–2023
b) 2023–2024
c) 2024–2025

3. Does your local authority anticipate a sufficiency need for Residential Family Assessment Centre placements in the next 12 to 24 months?

4. If your authority operates a preferred provider list or approved supplier framework for RFACs, what is the process by which new providers may apply to be included?

5. If no such framework exists, does your authority commission RFAC placements on a spot purchase basis, and if so, to whom should a new provider direct an expression of interest?

6. Please provide the name, job title, and direct contact details (email address and telephone number, where held) of the person/s responsible for commissioning Residential Family Assessment Centre or children's residential placement services within your authority. If this information is not held centrally, please advise which team or department would be the appropriate point of contact for a new provider wishing to register an expression of interest.

I am not seeking any information that would identify individual families or children. I am solely interested in commissioning structures, procurement arrangements, sufficiency data, and the appropriate professional contact for provider engagement.