Become comments on LGA report on profit-making and risk in children’s social care

Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive of Become, the charity for children in care and young care leavers, comments on the LGA warning around private children’s social care company debts.

“There is little transparency in the extent of profit-making by large companies operating within children’s social care.

“We are already seeing problems with the concentration of children’s homes in areas where property is cheaper rather than where homes are most needed, meaning children can be placed away from their friends, schools and family, dependent on where the homes are located. 

“There are also serious questions around accountability and what happens if a large provider was to go bust. If this happened, what would happen to the children in their care? 

“We continue to urge the government to move forward with their commitment to carry out a meaningful independent review of the care system. The review must explore the national landscape of children’s social care provision, along with addressing crucial questions around capacity, ownership and the lack of long-term planning.

“The focus should always be what’s best for children and young people in care. They need to remain at the heart of all conversations. Just as a responsible parent should, government and local authorities must do everything they can to promote long-term stability and the development of loving, nurturing relationships for every child in care.”

The LGA report – Profit making and risk in independent children’s social care placement providers – can be found here.