Placement & Homes Strategy for Children and Young People 2026 to 2030

The 2026 to 2030 Placement & Homes Strategy for Children and Young People: At a Glance.

A four-year plan to ensure that every child in care in Buckinghamshire can access the right home, at the right time, with the right support - as close as possible to their community, school, and family.

• Total CLA (March 2025): 523 (↑ 8% since 2020)
• CLA forecast by 2030 (excl. UASC): 455 (↓ 18%)
• UASC cared for (March 2022–July 2025): 141 (63 in foster care, 78 in supported accommodation)

In-house Foster Care: 158*

Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA): 155*

In-house Residential Homes: 17*

External Residential (20+ miles away): 73*

External Residential (within Buckinghamshire): 13*

Supported Accommodation (16+): 64 (45 local)*

Parent and Child Placements: 5*

*Children placed (as of September 2025)

1. Grow Local Residential Capacity - 10 new Ofsted-registered homes, 36+ beds, reducing reliance on external provision
2. Stabilise and Diversify Fostering - specialist, therapeutic, and culturally competent carers
3. Improve 16+ Supported Accommodation - including 3 new council-owned properties and Staying Close
4. Strengthen Edge of Care - integrated service to reduce entries into care and promote reunification
5. Embed Integrated, Data-Led Commissioning - real-time dashboards, forecasting, and value-for-money delivery

Capital Investment (Homes Programme): £11.2 million

5-Year ROI: 90%

10-Year ROI: 367%

Payback period: 5 years, 10 months

MTFP Savings Risk (2025–26): £1.29 million shortfall

mitigated by early gains in fostering and unregulated

placement reduction

KPI target:

• % LAC placed within 20 miles of home ≥ 80%
• % LAC in in-house foster care ≥ 60%
• % placements rated ‘Good’ or better (Ofsted) 100%
• % LAC with 3+ placement moves in 12 months ≤ 8%
• % 16–17s in regulated/suitable accommodation ≥ 90%
• Residential beds in-county ≥ 32 beds
• Forecast placement spend variance ±5% max