Delivery Partner Regional Care Co-operatives Pathfinders and National Support in Commissioning, Forecasting and Market Shaping

In February 2023, the Department for Education published its implementation strategy and consultation on children's social care reform, Stable Homes, Built on Love. As part of this, the Department has committed to working with local authorities and key partners to co-design and deliver two pathfinder Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) to test a new approach to planning, commissioning and delivering care placements for looked after children, with a view to rolling out after evaluating the best approach with the sector. The co-design process with local partners will shape the exact model and approach taken in each pathfinder area. The department also committed to commission an external organisation to deliver national support with forecasting, procurement and market shaping to local authorities. Mutual Ventures have been awarded the contract as Delivery Partner for the two Regional Care Cooperatives. They will also deliver national support on forecasting, commissioning and market shaping.