FOI release

Supported accommodation and support services for children in care and care leavers

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2025/01268

Received 2 July 2025

Published 22 August 2025

Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to request detailed information regarding your local authority’s commissioning and delivery of supported accommodation and support services for children in care and care leavers, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). Please respond to the following questions in full. Where possible, provide data in Excel or CSV format.

1. Providers and Service Models

1.1. List all providers currently delivering supported accommodation and/or support services for:

[CLARIFICATION FOR Q1.1 - Does "currently" relate to the date of the FOI? Please clarify.

To clarify – Yes it does relate to the date of the FOI.]

• Children in care aged 16–17

• Care leavers aged 18+

• UASC (if applicable)

1.2. For each provider, specify:

• Type of provision (e.g. 24/7 staffed, floating support, outreach, safety pods)

• Ofsted registration status (registered, pending, exempt)

• Number of units or placements available

• Number of young people currently placed

2. Costs and Funding

2.1. Provide the average weekly cost per young person for each type of supported accommodation and support service, broken down as follows:

• Accommodation cost

• Support cost

• Additional costs (e.g. contingency placements, interpreters, transport)

2.2. Confirm whether young people are expected to contribute to accommodation costs (e.g. via Universal Credit housing element). If so:

• How is this managed and monitored?

• What is the average amount recovered per young person per week?

3. Numbers of Young People

3.1. As of the most recent reporting period, how many young people are placed in:

[CLARIFICATION FOR Q3 - Please clarify what they define as ‘As of the most recent reporting period’

To clarify – We are looking for the ‘last years’ reporting figures please. Please may we request April 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025.]

• Supported accommodation (16–17-year-olds)

• Transitional accommodation (18+ care leavers)

• Emergency or contingency placements (e.g. safety pods)

3.2. Provide a breakdown by:

• Provider

• Placement type

• Age group

• UASC vs non-UASC

4. Contractual Arrangements

4.1. Specify the commissioning route used for each provider:

• Block contract

• Spot purchase

• Open or closed framework

• Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

• Other (please specify)

4.2. For each contract or framework, provide:

• Provider name

• Contract start and end date

• Extension options

• Total contract value or annual spend

• Whether the contract is exclusive or non-exclusive

4.3. Provide a copy of the service specification and/or contract summary for each current contract or framework.

5. Procurement and Renewal

5.1. Confirm:

• When your current contracts or frameworks are due for renewal or re-tender

• Whether you plan to re-procure these services in the next 12–24 months

• How providers can express interest in future opportunities (e.g. market engagement events, PIN notices)

6. Quality Assurance and Young People’s Feedback

6.1. Describe how you monitor the quality of supported accommodation and support services, including:

• KPIs used

• Frequency of audits or inspections

• Use of external regulators (e.g. Ofsted)

6.2. How are the views of young people captured and used to inform:

• Service delivery

• Contract management

• Provider performance reviews

Response