Outcomes for Children Case Studies & Testimonials
Supporting outcomes for
Children
Background Information
All local authorities face the challenge of placing the increasing numbers of children coming into care with foster families. Local Authorities, as corporate parents, are committed to improving outcomes for looked after children; but need to use their resources in the best possible way to deliver better public services in line with their priorities. One way local authorities can look to optimise the use of their limited resources is to collaborate with other local authorities in their region. Regional collaboration on any scale is a significant undertaking and therefore to better understand the potential options, costs and benefits, Outcomes UK (OUK) has worked with one such collaboration to provide an option appraisal and feasibility study so that all partner authorities can consider buy-in and commitment on a well-informed basis.
Purpose
This project aimed to increase efficiency through a feasibility study and analysis of options for collaborative working between local authorities in order to improve foster care services.
Aims and Objectives
Working in partnership with Local Authority Managers responsible for fostering services, and other stakeholders, OUK facilitated the sharing of what was already known, the learning from what had already been tried and knowledge of good practice in both the statutory and independent sectors to support the delivery of the desired outcomes.
Activities Delivered
A baseline position statement of the current cost to each local authority in the region associated with the provision of foster care services, including analysis of recent trends and forecasts
-
Recommendations on between four to six options for
collaborative service provision between local authorities
related to foster care provision -
A feasibility study containing a detailed costbenefit
analysis for each of the agreed options.
Methodology and Tools
The development and implementation of a communication plan to engage stakeholders and detail progress Undertaking a baseline assessment of foster care services, timescales, and costs and comparison across
the participating Local Authorities
- Stakeholder engagement via workshops
- Desk research into local and national best practice
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Production of 4-6 options for collaborative working, with
cost comparisons, including Invest to Save options.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Following the above feasibility study, Outcomes UK were contracted to work with three Local Authorities on producing a collaborative foster care services, in order to improve service quality leading to improved outcomes for children and to reduce costs through the realisation of significant financial efficiencies.
Transferable Benefits
This was undertaken through the development comprehensive and robust business case, detailed business plan and implementation plan which will
enable the three authorities to establish a municipal enterprise, social enterprise or similar which delivers foster care services to all three local authorities, and potential other local authorities over time. The initial business case shows breakeven versus current costs in year one and increased savings in year 2, and increasing thereafter.
A Social Worker registered with Outcomes UK carries a wide range of experience in the fostering environment within Children’s Services. Associate credentials – Experience as a Social Worker (fostering) Our Associate graduated as a Social Worker 1988 and has since gained a wide range of experience across a range of Read More...