A consultation launched today proposes that local authorities should be able to outsource most areas of children’s services in what would represent a momentous shift in how children’s social care is provided.
Under the plans councils would be able to outsource child protection services as well as duties in relation to children’s trust boards and implementing children and young people’s plans.
The only area of children’s services that would be excluded from outsourcing would be delegating the functions of independent reviewing officers.
Meanwhile adoption services would still only be able to be outsourced to registered adoption agencies.
The consultation, which closes on 30 May, calls for the views of children’s social workers, care leavers, children in care and care providers on the plans.
The document states that the changes would “not remove responsibility from the local authority for ensuring their statutory obligations are met”.
In addition, Ofsted will continue to inspect any outsourced service as part of its single inspection framework and will hold councils responsible for poor practice.
“These changes will broaden the range of approaches available to local authorities as they look to secure the best outcomes for children in their area,” the consultation document states.
“They will allow authorities to harness third-party expertise,” as well as “set up more agile delivery structures outside traditional hierarchies.”
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