Four year plan to improve stability for Barnsley’s children in care

Our Cabinet Members will be asked to approve a new four‑year Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy at their next meeting on Wednesday 1 April.

The council has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation and support available to meet the needs of children and young people in care. This includes securing the right type, quality and location of provision to support stability, permanence and positive outcomes.

The strategy is aimed at improving stability for children and young people, strengthening family‑based care and reducing reliance on high‑cost residential placements.

The Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2030 sets out a whole‑system approach to ensuring children who need care are supported in the right place, at the right time, and as close to home as possible.

It responds to growing national and local pressures in children’s social care, including rising placement costs and increasing complexity of need.

While the number of children in care in Barnsley has remained broadly stable, demand for specialist and residential placements has increased, creating financial pressure and reducing placement choice.

The new strategy is built around three delivery pillars:

• Reduce demand through earlier intervention, strengthened kinship care and support to safely keep families together where possible.
• Stabilise and transition placements, particularly for adolescents and children with complex needs, to prevent escalation into residential care.
• Buy better by increasing local provision and strengthening commissioning to reduce reliance on external, high‑cost placements.

If approved, the council will make a total of £14.39 million of planned investment in the strategy. It is forecast to generate £6.98 million in net savings by year three.”

Cllr Ashley Peace, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children's Services, said:

“This strategy is about putting children first while taking responsible, planned action to strengthen our care system. By intervening earlier, supporting families and carers, and increasing local provision, we can improve stability for children, reduce unnecessary disruption and make sure residential care is used appropriately and effectively.

“At the same time, it allows us to better manage rising costs and reduce reliance on an increasingly volatile external market, ensuring children’s services remain sustainable for the future.”

The report and strategy can be read in full here.