DfE refuses to release controversial study on outsourcing children's services

Children's minister Edward Timpson commissioned a report in March 2014 to "look at developing capacity for delivering children’s services outside of local authorities". The report was due to be completed by September 2014. CYP Now formally requested a copy on 13 November 2015.

The research, which was conducted by Professor Julian Le Grand from the London School of Economics, alongside an expert panel including chief children's social worker Isabelle Trowler and former president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, Alan Wood, was viewed by some in the sector as a study to assess the potential for privatising children's services.

According to FOI legislation, a response must be provided within 20 working days of the request, but the DfE has extended this by an additional 20 days on four separate occasions, claiming that it required the additional time in order to decide whether releasing the information was "in the public interest".

Following intervention from the Information Commissioner’s Office, the DfE has now decided that while releasing the information is in the public interest, it is exempt from doing so because it intends to publish it "at some future date".

"It is acknowledged that there is a general public interest in disclosure because of the need for there to be open and transparent government and that the sharing of information with the public should be free and open," a DfE spokesperson said.

"However, the public interest in permitting the government to publish information in a manner and at a time of its own choosing is also important. 

"It is part of the effective conduct of public affairs that the general publication of information is a conveniently planned and managed activity within the reasonable control of the public authority.

"The department therefore intends to publish the external study of improvement capacity in summer 2016."

Earlier this month, Dudley Council became the latest local authority to be considered for removal of children's services.

Following an "inadequate" Ofsted inspection, the DfE appointed a commissioner to oversee children's services and assess "whether the most effective way of securing and sustaining improvement in Dudley is to remove the control of children’s social care from the council for a period of time".

Of the 89 councils inspected by Ofsted since the launch in November 2013 of the single inspection framework, 24 have been rated inadequate.