This report presents the findings of a scoping study conducted by the Commissioning Support Programme, of which IPC is a partner organisation, to look for links between the way local authorities organised placement finding for looked-after children and young people, and the stability of the ensuing placements. Statistics for all local authorities over a five-year period were examined, and well and poorly performing councils identified and contacted. Key findings are presented, based on responses from 16 above-average and 13 below-average authorities; they identify those factors held to have an impact on improved placement stability.
Factors consistent with increased stability included:
- Having referrals `project managed` by someone other than the social worker.
- Appointing an individual or a team as an independent `broker` to look for suitable placements – this proved successful in terms of producing a better choice of placements and making cost savings.
- The person managing referral and placement finding having good market knowledge.
- Quality checking of referrals.
- Having an approved list of foster carers who can be emailed simultaneously rather than contacted sequentially.
The evident success of the brokerage model led to a follow-up study based on more in-depth interviews with the better-performing authorities, and the report presents studies of brokerage models adopted by two councils, examining issues including:
- The make-up and remit of the brokerage team.
- How it operates.
- Benefits for social workers – including freeing up their time to concentrate on social care.
- Budgetary savings targeted and the cost-effectiveness of the model in practice.
- Strengths in providing placement choice and the benefits – including financial – of `getting it right first time`.
- Overcoming quality monitoring problems.
For further information please contact Katy Burch at IPC
Email: ipc@brookes.ac.uk
Tel: 01225 484088
