There is a general lack of sufficiency for care provision locally, including foster care, which is driving up costs from private providers, and meaning children are accessing residential provision that does not always best meet their needs. We have observed an increasing trend of young with complex, multifaceted needs who require simultaneous support from a wide range of different professionals and agencies. These increases are causing cost pressures, due to young people having to be externally placed. These are all young people that the local authority believe could have been supported by the Complex Needs Hub to secure more timely and proportionate support, potentially at a lower cost. In terms of its financial ambitions, the Complex Needs Hub aims reduce spend on external agency placements and internal placements via its Outreach programme that aims to support young people to remain at home in the care of their family.
