Watch the second in our webinar series “Getting the Best Out of the Children's Placements Market".
This webinar covered findings from the data and forecasting chapter of our Department for Education research. It advanced on chapter 3, focusing on improving forecasting and data usage. We highlighted the crucial role of data analytics in enhancing local authorities' forecasting capabilities. Accurate forecasting and data analysis are essential for LAs to meet statutory responsibilities and ensure sufficient accommodation for children in care.
Mutual Ventures Director, David Fairhurst chaired the session and was joined by:
Annette McNeil is the Senior Commissioning Manager at Lancashire and has built up their approach to market analysis over a number of years. It’s always a work in progress but she is happy to share what she has learned with other commissioners and can be reached on.
Alistair Herbert has worked in local authority performance, systems, and data roles since 2004. He is currently Head of Data and Sufficiency for the South East RCC, and lead officer for Data to Insight, an award-winning team that help performance managers across England to collaborate on building the analytical tools they all need, but which can be done better once than 150+ times.
Tom Rintoul is Director of Data and Digital at not-for-profit Social Finance and led development of their open source tools for demand forecasting, regional data sharing, and market analysis as well as the common data model for placements. He also works on social investment in children’s social care.
This webinar is designed for colleagues in local authorities, central government, the voluntary and community sector, and providers of children’s care services.
Mutual Ventures was commissioned by the Department for Education to help develop two Regional Care Co-operative (RCC) Pathfinders and provide national support in the children's placement market. The Government's recent policy paper, "Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive" confirms their commitment to this work. This follows research such as the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care (2022) which found significant issues for looked-after children’s placements, including challenges in forecasting and planning due to the small size of local authorities and the lack of buying power to shape the market effectively.
If you would like to discuss the project further, please get in touch with ross.murray@mutualventures.co.uk
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