Placements made by the council with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) private or voluntary fostering providers registered with Ofsted, as distinct from the council's own in-house foster carers.

Relating to placements made by the council with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) private or voluntary fostering providers registered with Ofsted, as distinct from the council's own in-house foster carers.



Specifically, please provide the following:

1. For financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26: the number of children in an IFA placement at any point during each year, by placement type (e.g. standard, enhanced, specialist, sibling group, parent and child).



2. For financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26: the average weekly cost of an IFA placement, by placement type.



3. For financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26: (a) the number of placement referrals sent to IFAs, and (b) where recorded, how many had no suitable placement identified within 5 working days of referral.



4. Please confirm: (a) the council's current method of purchasing IFA placements (framework agreement, Dynamic Purchasing System, spot purchasing, or other); (b) whether new IFAs can currently apply to join it, and if not, when it is next due to reopen.



5. A list of the IFAs currently on the council's approved provider list, framework, or DPS.



6. The process, criteria and timescale for a new IFA to apply to join.

1. 2024/25 financial year (as of 31/03/2025) there were 80 children in an IFA Placement. Of which 23 were sibling placements, 3 complex rate, 6 enhanced rate, 1 solo rate. The remaining 47 were standard IFA placements.

2025/26 financial year (as of 31/03/2026) there were 131 children in an IFA Placement. Of which 1 was a parent & child, 3 staying put, 20 sibling placements, 3 complex rate, 20 enhanced rate, 1 solo rate, 1 specialist rate, 1 therapeutic rate. The remaining 81 were standard IFA placements.

2. The average weekly cost by IFA placement type for the financial years requested were as follows:

3. a) For 2024/25 financial year 139 referrals were shared with providers and for 2025/26 financial year this was 438 referrals shared with providers.

b) Information requested not recorded.

4. Information on how the council commissions independent placements can be found at Children’s Commissioning – Professional resources

5. The following providers are currently on the council’s approved list:

6. Please see the response to question 4 which provides the link to the information requested.