The numbers and cost of placements for 16 and 17 year old looked after children

I am writing to request information about the numbers and cost of placements for 16 and 17 year old looked after children in your local authority.

Can you please answer the following questions:

1) How many 16 and 17 year old looked after children is your local authority responsible for currently?
2) How many 16 and 17 year old looked after children in your local authority are currently placed out of area?

3) How many 16 and 17 year old looked after children were accommodated in spot purchased placements (off framework/contracted arrangements) in the current year (24/25 financial year)?

4) What was the cost of placements/supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds per week in the current year (24/25 financial year)?

a) lowest cost

b) highest cost

c) average cost

5) Are there sufficient placements in your local authority area for 16 and 17 year old looked after children who have a high level of complex needs?

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1) As of the 28/02 there were 199

2) As at 28/02/2025, there were 93 16/17 year old children in care placed outside of Lincolnshire (including supported accommodation, residential care, fostering and UASC placements.)

3) 73 placements were made for 16/17 year olds in 2024/25 via our Open Select List* procurement methodology. See link below

https://professionals.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/2850/children-s-services-provider-guide-to-the-open-select-list-process-for-independent-placement-referrals-sep-24- For further information on the Open Select list process for Lincolnshire

4) (please note these costs cover multiple strands of placement, as detailed in Q2)

a) lowest cost – £660

b) highest cost – £9,924

c) average cost – £3,373.39

5) As at 28.02.25 we do not have any live supported accommodation referrals for 16/17 year olds.

There is a Supported Accommodation review due to commence internally to assess future needs in this area; the findings of this will inform future commissioning requirements and opportunities will be presented to the market thereafter.