Sufficiency Strategy: Homes for Children in Our Care (2023–2026)

Staffordshire County Council is committed to ensuring that children in our care receive the best possible support to thrive.

Executive Summary

Staffordshire County Council is committed to ensuring that children in our care receive the best possible support to thrive. This strategy outlines our vision for the next three years to ensure:

  • Children live in safe, loving homes.
  • Placement decisions are timely and appropriate.
  • Support is tailored to individual needs.

Introduction

Under Section 22G of the Children Act 1989, local authorities must ensure sufficient accommodation for children in care. Our goal is to have the right children in the right place at the right time, improving outcomes through:

  • Placement stability
  • Access to services
  • Strong community connections

Current Position

  • Children in Care: 1,370 (20% increase from previous year)
  • Internal Provision:
    • 5 residential homes (19 beds)
    • Internal fostering for ~358 children
  • External Provision:
    • ~500 residential beds in Staffordshire
    • Only 36% of placements are local

Key Challenges

  • Rising number of children with complex needs
  • Increased reliance on unregulated and solo placements
  • Shortage of foster carers, especially for older children and sibling groups
  • Limited emergency and short-break provisions

National Context

  • 79% of children’s homes and 85% of fostering agencies are run for profit
  • Providers have significant control over placement decisions
  • Unregistered provision is used too frequently due to lack of alternatives

Local Insights

  • 66% of children in care live within Staffordshire
  • 64.9% have lived in the same place for 2+ years
  • Placement moves correlate with higher costs and out-of-county placements

Strategic Aims

1. Increase Local Placements

  • Expand internal fostering and residential capacity
  • Improve use of local independent providers

2. Eliminate Unregulated Placements

  • Collaborate with mental health services
  • Commission specialist provision for complex needs

3. Reduce Placement Breakdowns

  • Support providers and social workers
  • Increase long-term placement stability

4. Improve Early Intervention

  • Strengthen family support and reunification services
  • Enhance care planning and life story work

Service-Specific Actions

Residential Care

  • Improve occupancy and staffing
  • Address gaps in emergency and complex care provision

Fostering

  • Invest in recruitment and retention
  • Expand innovative schemes like Mockingbird and Big Fostering Partnership

Supported Accommodation

  • Prepare for Ofsted regulation
  • Improve transition planning for care leavers

Children with Disabilities

  • Enhance short breaks and community support
  • Improve data analysis and market engagement

Supported Lodgings

  • Recruit 5 new hosts annually
  • Promote supported lodgings as a viable care option

Outcomes We Aim to Achieve

  • More children living locally
  • Fewer placement breakdowns
  • Elimination of unregulated placements
  • Enhanced care experience and reduced time in care

Contact

For more information or to get involved: