Comment from Ali Stathers-Tracey, CEO CANW

The Children’s Well Being and Schools Bill is having its second reading in the House of Lords on 1^st May.

As a former Local Government Director, I spent a lot of time considering and contributing to the Children’s Social Care Reform Review – Stable Homes Built on Love, led by Josh McAllister in 2022. Like my peers at the time, I was really hopeful for the ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to change the system and for the opportunity it could bring for the children in greatest need.

Now, as Chief Executive of CANW, a provider of children’s services, I have taken some time to consider the latest draft of the Children’s Well Being and Schools Bill, which is based on recommendations from that review.

I feel the same passion today that I had as a Director of Children’s Services, but now I reflect with much more optimism on the potential we have to design solutions for cared for children and young people that truly meet their needs.

Limiting the ability of providers to make profit from care of children

I feel Government has taken a bold step in developing legislation that will limit the ability of providers who seek to make profit from the care of our children. Having read through the 144 pages of detail, hopefully over time, this will enable much-needed  funds to be channelled back to just where it needs to be – prevention services for families.

As a not-for-profit, charities like mine have the opportunity now to step into the potential vacuum that this new legislation could create, with a risk that some investors and companies may seek to exit the Care market as a result of this Bill. So old worries about “is there enough money to pay for care?” are potentially replaced with “are there enough care and tailored options for our children and young people available?” Sadly many commissioners will find that this is the current reality.

Creating a safe, sustainable system for care of children

As we grow our modern, high quality Fostering service at CANW, including flexible respite care, and as we plan our residential service for traumatised children to call their long term home, I would say now, more than ever, our Charity and our sector is willing, able and capable of stepping in to collaborate with Local Government. We need a safe, sustainable system that works for children and young people. Now is the time to step up, be brave and strive for better provision, prevention and choice close to home.

Let’s hope the new Bill receives safe passage and that we start to feel the benefits of work and input from years of consultation and listening to flip the current arrangement back, to put Children and Young People’s needs first.