I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to obtain information regarding the highest-cost residential placements for looked-after children within your authority. Please provide the following details for the 2023/24 financial year (or the most recent available data):

High-Cost Residential Placements
1. The highest weekly fee paid for a single residential children's home placement, excluding secure accommodation.
£13,806

2. The number of placements currently costing:
o £10,000 - £19,999 per week: 1
o £20,000 - £29,999 per week: 0
o £30,000 - £49,999 per week: 0
o £50,000 or more per week: 0

3. For placements exceeding £30,000 per week, please provide: NA
o Whether the child is in a solo placement: NA
o The staffing ratio (e.g., 2:1, 3:1, or higher):NA
o The nature of the child’s needs (e.g., severe trauma, extreme aggression, sexual exploitation risk, severe mental health, etc.): NA
o Whether the placement is in a children’s home, bespoke residential setting, or another arrangement: NA

Procurement and Contracting Details
4. The total number of children in external residential placements funded by your council.
22

5. The total annual expenditure on external residential children's home placements for the last financial year.
23/24: £5,183,519

6. The names of the top five providers receiving the highest payments from the council for residential children's home placements.
• Zencare.
• Safesupport.
• Prosperity ( Jupiter House).
• Higher Hope.
• Albrighton House

7. Whether the council uses direct award placements, spot purchases, or only procures through framework agreements.
Where possible, and capacity permitting the council will always aim to access framework provision first

8. If frameworks are used, which frameworks does the council procure children's residential placements from (e.g., South West Consortium, London Care Placements, etc.)?
South West Consortium is the Framework accessed (Southampton are the lead)

9. For placements made via spot purchase, please provide:
o The total spend on spot-purchased placements in the last financial year: 23/24 £3,913,903
o The number of children currently in spot-purchased placements 19

Commissioning & Contract Negotiation Contacts
10. Contact details for the person(s) responsible for awarding and negotiating contracts for children’s residential placements, including:
• Name: Daniel Savage
• Job title: Commissioning Manager
• Email address: ChildrensCommissioningTeam@wokingham.gov.uk
• Phone number: 01182379266