The use of unregulated provision for Looked After Children - Find a freedom of information request

Under the FOIA 2000, please provide the following figures relating to a) the use of unregulated provision for Looked After Children and also b) the cost of Children's Home placements.

UNREGULATED PROVISION USE

1) What is the total number of Looked After Children (LAC)

aged 16 and 17-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Please provide the number of these individuals in such provision at the point this request is answered. Registration became mandatory in October.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-bans-unregulated-accommodation-for-young-people-in-care#:~:text = The%20measures%20mean%20that%20from,homes%20with%20no%20meaningful%20oversight.

2) What is the total number of LAC

under the age of 16-years-old who are currently placed in unregulated provision? Directors of Children's Services typically authorise this directly. Please also provide the age of the youngest child placed in such provision.

COST OF ALL LAC PLACEMENTS

3) What is the highest weekly cost paid to a provider in the period April 1st 2022 to date for an LAC placement in a children's home? Please provide any mitigating detail (e.g. 3-to-1 care) if you believe it to be relevant to the high cost.

4) What is the highest annual cost paid in the 2022/2023 financial year for an individual LAC's placement in children's home(s)? Please provide the total annual cost if the child has been placed in multiple placements.

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. 3

*please note however that the provision where these young people are placed submitted their application within timescales and are awaiting a response from Ofsted, who had advised that there were substantial delays, given the volume of applications they have to process currently

2. None

3. £12,451 – 2:1 with waking nights to support mental health

4. £518,889.26