Background
London authorities are facing an unsustainable financial risk as expenditure on provision for children with high needs grows both in SEND and social care, due to growing demand, shrinking supply, and increasing provider fees. In response to this shortfall of provision and the associated financial risk, we are working to understand the key factors behind these pressures and developing collaborative solutions across a variety of commissioned services.
The Pan-London Resources and Commissioning Programme is taking forward a range of projects to improve placement sufficiency, quality and value for money for London local authorities in order to improve outcomes for London children.
LIIA, on behalf of ALDCS, is developing a business case for establishing a London Regional Care Cooperative (RCC), which aims to bring commissioning together across London, giving local authorities greater purchasing power and improving market management in the context of limited sufficiency and rising costs.
Projects
Strategic Objectives
- Build a strong understanding across London of the factors which are putting pressure on commissioned services
- Build an evidence base in support of sub-regional and regional collaborative commissioning as a solution to the pressures London is facing
- Strengthen partnership arrangements for specific commissioned services across London and the sub-regions
- Open new, high quality London provision for London children
Milestones
November 2025
RCA Governance Board set up and six priorities approved at ALDCS
July 2025
8 successful bids for DfE capital funding to open new Children’s Homes in London.
December 2024
Policy and Legislation workshop held with DfE, PLPCP and London Commissioning Network
July 2024
Launch of London Children’s Homes Managers Network
March 2024
Pan-London Business Case for Commissioning ASD SEMH published, and launch of Phase 3 of the project
October 2023
Launch of the Pan-London Residential Parenting Assessment Framework
July 2023
Demand & Capacity of Homes for Children in Care Report Published
April 2023
Release of the Pan-London Dynamic Sufficiency Tool
October 2022
7 successful bids for DfE capital funding to open new Children’s Homes in London.
Governance
The Resources and Commissioning Programme is taken forward by the Pan-London Placements Commissioning Panel. This panel is co-chaired by Tim Aldridge (DCS Camden), and Jonathan Williams (DCS Sutton), and reports to ALDCS and the LIIA Board.