See answers to previous information requests

1. Can you please explain your commissioning processes for providers of accommodation and/or support in respect to looked after children (under 16 years old) in residential care. Do you spot purchase, have framework agreements or have block contracts in each of these categories.
Operational Commissioning Team will send a summary / Pen Picture via e-mail to Residential provider who are on the South Central Framework followed up my phone calls. WBC has recently joined CCRAG and will do the above via the database of providers. Once expressions of interest are received a redacted full referral will be sent out. Followed up with further information from social worker and other professionals as required. Fee will be negotiated and full contract due diligence checks will be undertaken. This will be shared with senior social work managers including Assistant Director / Director of Children Services for budget approval. If a decision is planned the request will be presented to the Access to Resource panel for approval or for retrospective approval. WBC is a member od the South Central Framework and will Spot Purchase the most appropriate match and cost effective option.

2. Can you please confirm whether there is currently an identified need for placing children under 16 years old in the Wokingham Borough Council's area?
Yes and we are in the process of establishing our own residential settings.

3. If a new private residential children's home provider who has registered with OFSTED and met compliance and all other requirements were to provide services in the Wokingham Borough Council area, would the council and children's services be welcoming of such a service being provided by a new provider, or have all the needs been met by the current private suppliers of residential children's homes?
Growing local resource will always be welcome to be able to consider and keep children closer to their home Local Authority area.

4. What are the contact details of the children's commissioning service (under 16 years of age) for Wokingham Borough Council? Please provide an email address and phone number.
operationalcommissioningteam@wokingham.gov.uk

5. Who is the best point of contact for enquiries about residential children's care home services in Wokingham Borough Council? Please provide their contact details (email and phone number). operationalcommissioningteam@wokingham.gov.uk
John Mythen John.Mythen@wokingham.gov.uk (0118) 974 6000

6. How many council owned children's homes currently operate in the area of Wokingham Borough Council?
WBC is opening two Residential Children Homes later in year 2024, in addition WBC currently have a Resource Centre offering Short breaks for profoundly Disabled children who have complex needs.

7. How many privately owned children's homes currently operate in the area of Wokingham Borough Council?
Four

8. If you have framework agreements and/or block contracts for accommodation and/or support in respect to looked after children in residential care, please specify when each of these are due to be re-tendered.
01/10/2024 South Central Residential Framework

9. Do organisations need to go through a pre-registration process to accommodate looked after children in residential care on a spot purchase basis?
No, but Due diligence checks will be undertaken and all documentation will need to be scrutinised.

10. Do you have local authority run provisions for looked after children/accommodation of children under 16 years old in residential care? If so, how many of each category are currently accommodated in these facilities?
We are also in the process of setting up our own residential settings. One currently Bridges Resource Centre can accommodate / offer Overnight Short Break Service for children who have a profound disability and Complex Needs under a short break arrangement. WBC is in the process of opening Two Residential Children Homes later 2024 that can accommodate up to Six Children.

11. Please specify the number of looked after children in residential care accommodated currently via:
a) spot purchase: 7
b) framework agreements: 8
c) block contracts: 0

12. How many children aged under 16 years old and specified in the answer to question 4 are accommodated in all residential children's homes in Wokingham Borough Council's area?
0

13. What is the 2023/24 average weekly cost of placing a looked after child aged under 16 years old in a private residential children's home?
£5,116 for Childrens Social Care element – excludes any SEND or Health Contribution

14. Who should be approached within the council to discuss spot purchase commissioning, service provision, rates and referrals for accommodating looked after children under 16 years old in residential children's homes? Who is the specific named point of contact?
John Mythen John.Mythen@wokingham.gov.uk

15. Please can you provide me with a list of all of your current suppliers signed up to framework agreements/block purchase contracts for accommodating looked after children in residential care?
Amegreen
Aspiris
Inspirations
New Forest Care
Ethlebert
Witherslack
Cameron
Halliwell