Recommendation 15

Local authorities and private providers face barriers and lack incentives to open homes and create places matching children’s needs at the scale required.35 The Association of Directors of Children’s Services told us that the distribution of residential provision is based on where it is easy to open a home, often where prices are lower, rather than where the need is greatest.36 The Children’s Homes Association told us that the barriers included property prices, salaries and workforce issues, alongside difficulties getting planning permission.37 The Department told us that it is working with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to address barriers in the planning system so the system works in a way that reflects where new homes are needed.38