Briefings: Commissioning | Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers

Aug 2019 Soft block contracts in the commissioning of children’s care services A substantial majority of current practice in contracting of placements for children by local authorities with independent sector providers is a version of spot contracting. It makes for an inefficient and unmanaged sector economically. The most influential factor on economic efficiency for providers is the occupancy rate of their services. Commissioners have the potential to directly influence occupancy through tools such as block contracting.

Dec 2017 How well are fostering services commissioned? In June 2017, NAFP undertook a survey to determine the views of our members on local authority commissioning practice across the three nations. It was completed by independent fostering providers caring for around 5,000 children in foster care. The survey asked for views on commissioning consortia and commissioning undertaken by individual local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and included specific questions designed by commissioners.

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