Town hall chiefs have hit out at the private children’s homes operators ‘fleecing’ local authorities for cash, branding the situation a ‘scandal’ and a 'tragedy'. The number of children in care in Stockport has risen significantly - from around 350 to 500 - largely due to the cost of living crisis and the fallout from the pandemic.
The council is currently £3m over its budget for ‘external’ childrens’ care placements - those not provided by the authority - including 75 youngsters in privately run homes and 47 in independent foster care. The average weekly cost has doubled to around £4,000 over the last five years, while the most intensive packages - for high needs children - has ‘rocketed’ from £10,000 to £14,000 a council scrutiny committee heard this week.
As part of a ‘recovery plan’ bosses are proposing to buy second hand properties and convert them into new children’s homes, allowing the council to provide in-borough placements ‘at a cheaper per bed per week rate for children with complex needs’. The ‘invest to save’ scheme would be funded by creating a new £2 million borrowing facility.
READ MORE : Big increase in number of Stockport children in care as cost of living crisis hits families' 'financial resilience'
