TBA
Market Context
The Children Act 1989 was amended by the Children’s (Leaving Care) Act 2000. This imposes accommodation duties on LA's to support LAC and care leavers aged 16 and 17. Including care leavers over 18 who are ineligible for housing by the Local Housing Authority. We currently commission via a framework which is split across 4 lots:
- Lot A) SA and support to eligible and relevant young people aged 16 and 17-year olds.
- Lot B) SA and support for Separated Migrant Children (SMC) aged 16 and 17, including initial age assessment where required.
- Lot C) Accommodation for families and young people aged 18+ with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
- Lot D) SA and support for eligible and relevant young people aged 16 and 17, who have complex needs that require extended, intensive support and supervision.
Current Market Status
SA Providers are currently being onboarded with Ofsted registration. With all providers being required to be registered by October 2023. The SA market in Essex is currently commissioned via a Framework agreement which is scheduled to be refreshed in the later part of 2023. Relationships with the market are generally stable currently. Much of our engagement has been around the Ofsted registration requirements.
| Market Quality | Market Supply | Market Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Low | High/Very High |
 |
 |
 |
| Market Workface | Market Ambition | Market Maturity |
| Low | Increase Supply | Established |
 |
 |
 |
|
Total Number of Providers: |
45 |
|
Total Number of Placements |
337 |
|
Total Market Spend per year: |
£9.0m |
|
ECC Funded Placements: |
405 |
|
Number of Provider Entries/Placements (20/21): |
337 |
|
Number of Provider Exits/Placements (20/21): |
67 |
|
Provider Quality – Good or Outstanding: |
N/A |
|
Average Accommodation Placement Size: |
N/A |
|
Framework/spot Placement Ratio: |
53:4 |
|
Number of Placements per year: |
339 |
|
Number of Emergency Placements: |
70 |
|
Number of Planned Placements: |
267 |
|
Average Length of Stay: |
TBA |
|
Average Package Cost per week: |
£2,043 Per Week |
|
Expected future Capacity Required: |
N/A |
TBA
- All providers being required to become registered with Ofsted could cause some providers to exit the market.
- Framework is due to be opened for the onboarding of new providers in the later part of 2023. This coincides with the deadline for Ofsted registration.
- Increase in the number of Separated Migrant Children.
- Cost of living crisis – providers are struggling to pay staff a real time living wage due to increased costs
- Mortgage and interest rates increasing putting additional costs on placements.
- Providing support and facilitating communications to support with the Ofsted registration process.