Councils Struggle with Unregulated Care Placements Amid National Shortage

Amid a national shortage of regulated care placements, councils in the UK are still placing some children in unregulated homes despite a government ban, officials have reported. Cambridgeshire County Council has expressed concerns over the situation, citing a lack of suitable alternatives for accommodating children in need.

According to Martin Purbrick, the Executive Director for Children, Education, and Families at Cambridgeshire County Council, between four to six children have been living in unregulated placements over the past seven months. During a meeting with the children and young people committee, Purbrick highlighted the challenges posed by a shortage of spaces. “In order to make sure we look after children safely, we must find an arrangement for them, whether there is a regulated placement or not. We can’t let them sleep on the streets,” he stated.

Purbrick pointed out that the council often deals with children who display “extremely challenging behaviour,” necessitating the deployment of multiple carers. The council is actively searching for regulated placements and is planning to develop new facilities in Cambridgeshire to cater to children with complex needs. “We are constantly looking for regulated settings for those young people, and part of our residential strategy is to address some of that need,” Purbrick added, expressing hope that new resources would become available over the next 12 months.

Similarly, Essex County Council is grappling with the same issues. During a council meeting on October 8, councillors discussed the reliance on unregulated care homes. Cllr Lee Scordis raised concerns about their high costs and inefficiency. Cllr Chris Whitbread and Cllr John Spence acknowledged the increasing complexity and cost of care packages, which have persisted for two years. “We cannot leave them in abeyance, so we have to continue to place them,” said Spence, emphasizing the urgency of the matter and the profound needs of the children.