Driving up performance through better commissioning (Bedfordshire)

Contact:

George O'Brien
George.OBrien@bedscc.gov.uk

Provider:

Bedfordshire

Topics:

Children and Young People's Plan, Children's trusts, Education, Health, Information sharing and the Common Assessment Framework, Joint planning and commissioning, Multi-agency working, Participation of children and young people, Schools, Social care, welfare, protection, Voluntary and community sector, Youth Matters

Type:

Emerging practice

Date:

April 2007

Region:

East England

Bedfordshire developed a commissioning strategy to focus resources on earlier assessment, intervention and family support.

• Commissioning capacity was expanded.
• Finance was redistributed.
• New systems and structures were created.
• Choice and sustainability were developed.

Real benefits emerge with improved outcomes for children, young people and their families. Numbers of children in care and out-of-county placements were significantly reduced. Social care moved on from special measures to becoming a leading-edge commissioning service.

Outcomes include:

• earlier assessment, intervention and prevention 
• reduction in bureaucracy 
• reduction in looked-after children (LAC) from 441 308 
• reduction in out-of-county placements: independent foster agencies 121 95, residential 66 29 
• improved placement stability 
• improved Foundation and Key Stage 1, 2 and 4 performance 
• exclusions down 25 per cent 
• reduced rates of re-offending 
• £4million saved and reinvested 2004–2007.

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Last updated on 01/04/2007