Analysis

Competition authority study raises prospect of commissioning reforms

Latest reports feeding into the Care Review paint a picture of a children’s social care market that fails to meet the needs of children and costs too much. Authors put forward contrasting ideas for solving the sector’s problems.
The cost to local authorities of in-house care services was less than for private provision. Picture: Halfpoint/Adobe Stock
The cost to local authorities of in-house care services was less than for private provision. Picture: Halfpoint/Adobe Stock

The release of a number of reports tipped to shape the direction of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care have raised questions over the future of care commissioning and specifically whether residential and foster care placements should be commissioned on a national or regional basis.

The results of a year-long study by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – launched in response to a request by Care Review chair Josh MacAlister – brands the children’s social care market “dysfunctional”.

The UK has “sleepwalked” into a system in which children are failing to get suitable placements in foster care and children’s homes, says CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli.

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