First Regional Care Cooperative launches to improve delivery of children’s care

The UK’s first Regional Care Cooperative (RCC) has launched in Manchester aiming to tackle supply gaps and get better value for money for local authorities when placing children in homes.

The launch comes after a 12-month pathfinder programme, funded by the Department for Education, to look at how to improve services and support for the most vulnerable children in communities.

Greater Manchester was one of two regions trialling the pathfinder approach in early 2024, building on its already established Children’s Sufficiency Programme to supports improvements in the social care sector.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which represents ten local authorities and the city’s Mayor, says the pathfinder has provided a unique opportunity to further increase placement availability across Greater Manchester, improve outcomes for children in care, and build on the foundations which will allow Greater Manchester Local Authorities to better plan and forecast demand.

The regional approach to planning and commissioning was a key recommendation in Josh MacAlister’s 2022 Care Review to “bring an end to profiteering in the children’s social care market” and recruit thousands of new foster carers. The cooperatives were suggested to be local authority-owned regional bodies which will use their “scale and expertise” to provide a wider choice of homes for children closer to where they live.

The cooperative is building a number of projects to improve delivery of children’s care, including a forecasting tool to allow a data-led approach to placement trends and supply gaps across Greater Manchester. They are also working on new commercial arrangements with providers to better use the buying power of the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities to achieve better value for money.

The authorities are also creating a collaborative residential care service comprising of 10 new homes for children and young people across the city region, working with partners from across local authorities and the NHS.

Also planned is a workforce recruitment campaign to encourage more people to explore a career in residential children’s homes and development of a progression pathway through residential care.

Janet Daby MP, Minister for Children and Families, said the programme gives children in care the stability they need to achieve and thrive in placements decided in their best interests.

“Through our Plan for Change we’re committed to reforming children’s social care – breaking down barriers to opportunity for young people and improving their life chances. It’s brilliant to see the success of Greater Manchester’s work continue, putting young people at the heart of the changes that keep them close to vital support networks.

“This work forms a key part of our ambition to break down barriers to opportunity and give all children a safe, loving home, as we prioritise reform across children’s social care.”

Councillor Mark Hunter, Portfolio Lead for Children and Young People at the GMCA added that the approach will help tackle some of the biggest issues facing children's services across the country.

“We constantly strive for better outcomes for all children and young people across Greater Manchester, particularly those that are placed in care. We are committed to working in collaboration with our partners to improve their experience of the care system and ensuring they are given every opportunity to lead successful, healthy lives they deserve.”