Social Care - How we are improving ... Accommodation for care leavers in Worcestershire

Council: Worcestershire

Performance: Percentage of former care leavers aged 19 that were looked after on 1 April in their 17th year, who were in suitable accommodation the year ending 31 March

2004 Worcestershire 68.4% England average 79.6%

2005 Worcestershire 78.3% England average 83.9%

2006 Worcestershire 80.9% England average 87.9%

2007 Worcestershire 82.4% England average 87.3%

2008 Worcestershire 92.3% England average 88.4%

Worcestershire County Council has seen the percentage of its care leavers in suitable accommodation rise by nearly 25 per cent over the past four years. The authority is now above the national average and is determined to continue to improve in this area.

Deborah Claridge, Worcestershire's operational manager of children's services, attributes the results to clear instructions set out to all staff. She says: "The improvement has been a result of outcome-focused work and the implementation of clear protocols. For example, placement plans, which should be completed within 72 hours of any placement, are regularly reviewed and monitored. There is also clear direction that young people are not placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation, and where they are placed in an emergency there is a very tight risk assessment and exit strategy."