Decision Details

Decision Confirmed

Children in Care Residential Strategy

Delegate authority for awarding and executing a contract for the provision of the Cambridgeshire Children in Care Residential Service starting 2025 (full date to be confirmed) and extension periods to the Executive Director Children and Families in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Children and Young People Committee.

Tue 25 Jun 2024

Children, Education and Families

Lucy Munt, Head of Service, Children's Commissioning - lucy.munt@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

 

Document.ashx (cmis.uk.com)

Officer

Martin Purbrick

Yes

As of March 2024, the council are paying an average cost of £16,596 per child per week for an unregistered placement, down from the average cost in October 2023 when it was £19,545. However, in some cases the cost per child per week can be significantly higher. 3.6.2 As per the table in 3.3, the option to do nothing and to keep the service delivery the same, would offer no savings or cost avoidance. Option 2, to externally commission the delivery of the service, could generate an annual cost avoidance upwards of £638,976. Option 3, to deliver the service in-house, would generate a cost avoidance of up to £438,984. This would be in relation to looking after 3 complex needs children and young people per annum. 3.6.3 From a financial perspective it is recommended that Option 2, a commissioned high need service is progressed, as it will offer the greatest cost certainty and the highest range for cost avoidance. 

See report.