Outsourced children's services linked to out-of-area and unstable placements of vulnerable children

The growth in for-profit provision of outsourced children's services is linked with out-of-area and unstable placements, according to a new study, published today [29 May], from Oxford's Department of Social Policy and Intervention.

Led by Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen and Benjamin Goodair, the study reveals for-profit outsourcing is associated with more looked-after children being placed outside their home areas and 'greater placement instability' over time. The researchers estimate that an additional 17,000 out-of-area placements from 2011 to 2022 may be attributed to increases in for-profit provision.

They conclude, 'Despite the numerous independent reviews and investigations, a significant proportion of children are still being placed in unstable or out-of-area care, exposing already vulnerable children to additional risks... Our analysis shows for-profit outsourcing is consistently associated with worse placement outcomes among local authorities. This suggests that increasing the already significant proportion of for-profit children's social placements may not be the most effective strategy to improve outcomes in the children's social care sector.'

According to the report, by 2022, 38% of all children in care are placed with for-profit providers… an increase of 9% points since 2011. However, there is large variation in how much Local Authorities use the for-profit sector. And the report finds, 'We observe that increases in for-profit outsourcing are associated with worse placement outcomes on average…

'For-profit outsourcing is consistently associated with more children being placed outside their home Local Authority and greater long-term placement instability.'

The study concludes, 'Despite the numerous independent reviews and investigations, a significant proportion of children are still being placed in unstable or out-of-area care, exposing already vulnerable children to additional risks.'