Pilot Delivers Significant Children's Services Savings

CareCubed Children's was launched at the end of last year, building on the success of the existing adult version. The secure online tool is designed to give care commissioners clarity on the cost of care and help manage care spend.

The feedback gained when building the children's version of the tool is that it is often difficult to reach a clear understanding regarding what is included in the price. Placements can often be quoted in the region of £3-5,000 a week, while figures show councils overspent on children's social care budgets by £800m in 2018.

iESE Associate Consultant Diana Sherwood ran the informal pilot as part of her other role as an interim at two London Borough Councils. The pilot looked at seven placements and saved £325,000. One of the boroughs is now in the process of procuring a Children's CareCubed licence, while three other councils (two county and one unitary) have also signed up.

"The pilot raised awareness of historic overspend in the commissioning of children’s care. Unfortunately, many local authorities feel defeated, believing there is little room to reevaluate costs. However, the pilots raised awareness and highlighted need to improve and widen negotiations with providers," she said.

However, she stresses it is a transparent tool rather than one to 'beat providers up with'. "It is to ensure placements are value for money and there is sustainability on both sides. This tool is something new for all local authorities and there is a real appetite for it," she said.

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