Freedom of Information Act request - 2013/7104 - Look After Children

Thank you for your request for information received on 20/01/2013.

This will be processed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act
2000.

Regards

Corporate Information Management Team
[1][Wandsworth Council request email]
020 8871 8119

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Freedom of Information Act request - 2013/7104 - Look After Children

 

I refer to your request for information received on 21/01/2013.  Please
see the information below in response to your request: -

Processes

 

1.       Can you explain your commissioning process for private
residential children’s care providers?

 

The process for commissioning an external residential unit once agreement
is given by senior managers is through checking available options within
the units on the South West London Commissioning Groups (SWLCG ) approved
list .If there are no provides available that meets the needs of the child
then the Commissioning team will approach units approved by London Care
Placements (LCP) or failing that other non approved units . 

 

 1.       Do you operate an approved providers list of private residential
care providers.

 Yes - see Question 1. 

 

 2.       If so, how many providers are currently on this list?

There are 14 on the SWLCG. 

 

 3.       Is the list closed, and if yes for how long?

The list is reviewed annually. 

 

 4.       Do you operate competitive tendering when introducing new
organisations in the councils procurement?

The list of units is managed by the administrator for the SWLCG.

 

5.       How can a private residential care home provider approach the
council when wishing to introduce their service? Who should be approached
within the council to discuss referrals, rates and commissioning

The provider should contact in the first instance the SWLCG or LCP the
details could also be sent to the Commissioning team on
[1][cyfeiriad ebost].

 

     6. Once a service is established how is this service promoted in the
council

    Details of the approved ‘Established services’ by SWLCG or LCP will be
held on the list used by the Commissioning team.

 

Current services in place

    

7.       How many children’s care homes does the council operate?

The Council operates 2 children’s homes and 1 respite care unit for
children with a disability.

 

 

8.       How many children are placed in care homes that you operate?

As at 31.1.13 there are 11 children placed in internal homes.

 

9.       How many children are placed with private residential care
providers?

There are children placed in children’s homes  15 in children’s homes.

 

10.   What is the average weekly cost of placing a child in a care home
you operate?

£2,899,226

 

11.   What is the average weekly cost of placing a child in a private care
home?

This is £2457.21 based on those children in homes, semi independence and
secure homes.

 

 

     12. What is the average size of the care homes you place children in
(i.e. how many children can they accommodate)?

     This is on average 4-6.

 

13.   What is the average distance young people a placed from their home?

The average for all children in homes is 47 miles.

 

14.   Do you make more referrals to short stay residential placements or
long term residential placements?

The referrals to homes depends on the individual child's needs. The
majority of placements are therefore short to medium term placements.

 

15.   Last year what percent of children were placed in foster care in
comparison to those placed in residential homes? What percent of those
placed in residential homes were placed in privately run homes? 

As at 31.3.12

70% in foster homes

11% in homes (42% internal 58% external)

19% other placements 

 

16.   When a child is referred do we have a contract for a set period of
time?

All placements are made on an individual basis and the contract is
therefore case specific with no defined period .

 

17.   How much do you charge private care homes per child for emergency
referrals (maximum and minimum prices) and how much notice is the home
given before a child is placed?

We do not generally make placements on an emergency basis. An emergency
placement would be required at the time of the phone call to the provider.

 

18.   Is there more of a need for more short term placements or long term
placements?

The Service requires a range of provision depending on the needs of
referrals for placements. There is less need for long term residential
placements.

 

19.   What is the process for local authorities when making a referral to
a private care home?

See Question 1.

 

20.   Do local authorities negotiate or have set rate or prices based on
child’s needs?

The fees for all Placements are set by the SWLCG or LCP.

 

21.   Do rates vary depending on need/ behavioural problems?

Fees vary between units depending in the need of the child and any
additional services required.

 

22.   Once established as a provider how will the organisation be promoted
within the council?

See Q1. The Commissioning team will consider the needs of the child, their
schooling and contact plans as these are factors when considering the
providers and what vacancies they have at that time.

 

23.   What are the areas that local authorities feel need more service
provision in?

Units that can offer stability and support for children with educational
and behavioural needs. Semi independent Units for young people post
schools leaving age. 

 

 24.   What other services in the council refer young people to children’s
homes?

The sole reference point for any children's home is through the
Commissioning team.

 

  25. How long do children stay in emergency short stay placements on
average?

All emergency placements in children's homes are reviewed. There were no
emergency placements in a residential unit in the least year. Any
placement would likely to be less for a maximum of 48 hours and no longer
than a week.

I hope this information meets your needs. If you do not understand the
information provided or wish to discuss anything further, please feel free
to contact me and I, or another member of the team will be able to assist
you.

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your request for information is for your personal, non-commercial use.
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If you are dissatisfied with the information provided in relation to your
request you may make representations to the Chief Executive. 
Correspondence should be addressed to: 

 

Room 162, Wandsworth Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 2PU

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

 

Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF

 

Regards

 

 

 

Kirsten Hawkins

Senior Information Management Officer

Corporate Information Management Team

[2][E-bost cais Wandsworth Council]

 

 

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