Some of our online forms are unavailable at the moment due to a technical problem. We are looking into this urgently and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Children looked after and placement sufficiency strategy 2021 to 2024

Last updated: 1 April 2021 Printable version: Children looked after and placement sufficiency strategy 2021 to 2024 (pdf, 1012.4 KB)

Legal context

Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 (amended by the Children and Young Persons Act 2008) places a general duty on local authorities to secure sufficient accommodation within the authority’s area which meets the needs of children that the local authority are looking after circumstances are such that it would be consistent with their welfare for them to be provided with accommodation that is in the local authority’s area.

Sufficiency Duty Statutory Guidance describes the accommodation required for a child looked after that:

is near the child’s home
does not disrupt his/her education or training
enables the child to live with an accommodated sibling
where the child is disabled, is suitable to meet the needs of that child
is within the local authority’s area, unless that is not possible

Commissioning standards are also important, emphasising:

individual assessment and care planning
commissioning decision
strategic needs assessment
market management
collaboration
securing services