Page reportSummary
Page Layout
Display issue details:
The line numbers refer to lines in the original source. Any with a line number of '0' are implicit tags added by Total Validator:
1 <!doctype html>
2 <html lang="en">
3 <head>
4 <meta charset="utf-8">
12 
E916 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Do not use 'viewport' settings which prevent the user from zooming in:
Using 'user-scalable=no' or 'maximum-scale' with a value less than 2.0 may prevent people with sight difficulties from being able to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1'>
12 <title>
12 Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
12 </title>
13 <link href='css/css.php' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' id="main_style"/>
14 <link rel='shortcut icon' href='images/favicon.ico' type='image/x-icon'/>
16 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="images/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png" />
17 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="images/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png" />
18 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="images/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png" />
20 <meta name="application-name" content="Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After
Children" />
21 <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#301880" />
22 <meta name="msapplication-square70x70logo" content="images/smalltile.png" />
23 <meta name="msapplication-square150x150logo" content="images/mediumtile.png" />
24 <meta name="msapplication-wide310x150logo" content="images/widetile.png" />
25 <meta name="msapplication-square310x310logo" content="images/largetile.png" />
29 <link href='normal.css' id='switch_style' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'>
32 <link rel='stylesheet' media='(max-width: 1100px)' href='css/colours_mobile.css' />
36 <link href='css/print.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
37 <link href='css/print_colours.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
39 <script src="scripts/print.js">
39 </script>
40 <script src="scripts/jquery-1.6.4.min.js">
40 </script>
41 <script src="scripts/jquery-dateFormat.min.js">
41 </script>
42 <script src="scripts/js.cookie.js">
42 </script>
43 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/highlight.js">
43 </script>
44 <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'>
44 </script>
45 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/jquery.js">
45 </script>
46 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/pageOrganizer.js">
46 </script>
47 <script>
54 </script>
116 <style>
117 #new_print {
118 display:block;
119 }
120 #old_print {
121 display:none;
122 }
123 </style>
131 <style>
132 ol {
133 counter-reset: item;
134 z-index:-1;
135 }
136 ol li.sub_list {
137 display: block;
138 position: relative;
139 }
140 ol li.sub_list:before {
141 content: counters(item, ".")".";
142 counter-increment: item;
143 position: absolute;
144 margin-right: 100%;
145 right: 3px;
146 }
147 ol li.remove_bullet:before {
148 P908 [WCAG21 1.3.1 (A)] Do not insert content using CSS:
Content inserted using CSS may not appear when CSS is turned off, or the user is using their own accessible style sheet. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F87. content:"\ \ \ ";
149 display:none;
150 }
151 </style>
155 <style>
156 .remove_bullet {
157 list-style:none;
158 }
159 </style>
183 </head>
184 <body onLoad="if (document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox'))
{document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox').focus();}">
186 <div id="skip">
186 <a href="#main_content" class="section_links">
186 Skip navigation to sections
186 </a>
186 </div>
187 <div id="cookie_bar">
187 We use cookies to track usage and preferences.
187 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/privacy-policy#cookies">
187 View our Cookie Policy
187 </a>
187 <div id="cookie_agree">
187 I Accept
187 </div>
187 </div>
190 <div id="head_bar">
192 <header>
193 <div id="grey_bar">
194 <div id="logo_holder">
195 <img src="images/client_logo.png" height="85" alt="Bexley Logo"/>
196 </div>
196 </div>
198 <div id="title">
199 <h1>
199 Bexley
199 <span id="h1_sub">
199 Children's Services Procedures Manual
199 </span>
199 </h1>
201 </div>
205 <div id="access_holder">
205 <div id="access_text_hold" onclick="location.href='accessibility.html';">
205 <a href="accessibility.html">
205 Accessibility
205 </a>
205 </div>
205 </div>
206 </header>
207 </div>
208 <nav>
210 <div id="sticky_navigation_wrapper">
211 <div id="sticky_navigation">
212 <div id="demo_container">
213 <div id="menu_toggle">
213 <img src="images/menu_white.png" id="drop_menu_button" height="20" alt="Menu toggle for
Mobile"/>
214 </div>
216 <div id="menu_items">
217 <ul>
218 <li>
218 <a href="index.html">
218 Home
218 </a>
218 </li>
219 <li>
219 <a href="contents.html">
219 Contents
219 </a>
219 </li>
220 <li class="dropdownmenu" id="doubletap1">
221 E958 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] The 'aria-haspopup' attribute is not allowed in this context:
The ARIA specification only allows certain 'aria-...' attributes to be used with certain roles. See ARIA 1.2. <a class="toplink" href="menu.html" aria-haspopup="true">
221 Resources
221 <b>
221 ▾
221 </b>
221 </a>
222 <ul id="port_drop1" aria-label="submenu">
223 <li>
223 <a href="local_resources.html" tabindex="-1">
223 Policy Update
223 </a>
223 </li>
224 <li>
224 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/index.htm" target="_blank"
tabindex="-1">
224 Glossary
224 </a>
224 </li>
225 <li>
225 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_cont/index.htm"
target="_blank" tabindex="-1">
225 Contacts
225 </a>
225 </li>
226 </ul>
227 </li>
228 <li>
228 <a href="using_this_manual.html">
228 Using this Manual
228 </a>
228 </li>
229 <li>
229 <a href="http://www.londoncp.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
229 London Child Protection Procedures
229 </a>
229 </li>
231 </ul>
232 </div>
236 <div id="search">
236 <div id="search_contents">
237 E910 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Use relative rather than absolute units:
Using relative units helps the page to be rendered correctly at different resolutions and allows people with sight difficulties to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <form method="get" action="search_site.php" style="font-size:10px;">
239 <div id="input_holder">
241 W889 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] Avoid using accessible names created from fallback attributes:
An accessible name generated from 'title', 'placeholder' or default values for <input> buttons, typically yields a low quality accessible name. Instead use the recommended way of setting the accessible name for this element. See Avoid Fallback, and Accessible Name Computation. <input type="text" name="zoom_query" placeholder="Search Manual" spellcheck="true" title="search"
class="search_bar">
242 </div>
243 <div id="mag_holder">
244 <input class="imagelink" type="image" src="images/mag_white.png" id="mag_glass"
height="25" alt="Search" title="Search">
246 </div>
246 </form>
246 </div>
246 </div>
248 </div>
251 </div>
253 </div>
258 </nav>
259 <div id="main_content" tabindex="-1">
260 <main>
263 <div id="print_watermark">
263 This document is only valid 72 hours after printing
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 . For the latest version please visit
263 <noscript>
263 the online manual.
263 </noscript>
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 </div>
265 <div id="chapter_title">
268 <div id="print_holder">
272 <div id="new_print">
272 <a onClick="window.print();" tabindex="0" class="imagelink" href="#">
272 <img id="print_img" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" alt="Click here to print"/>
272 </a>
272 </div>
276 <div id="old_print">
276 <form id="printMe" name="printMe">
276 <input class="imagelink" name="printMe" type="image" onclick="printSpecial()"
id="print_img_ie" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" width="33" alt="Print this
page" title="Print Button">
276 </form>
276 </div>
279 </div>
282 <h2>
282 Local Authority's Sufficiency Duty - Accommodation for Looked After Children
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 RELATED GUIDANCE
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 <a
href="http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/statutory%20guidance%20securing%20sufficien
t%20accommodation%20for%20looked%20after%20children%20march%202010.pdf" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
289 Sufficiency: Statutory Guidance on Securing Sufficient Accommodation for Looked After Children
(2010)
289 </a>
289 </p>
290 </div>
291 <div id="sections">
293 <h3 id="sections_list">
293 Contents
293 </h3>
294 <ol>
295 <li>
295 <a href="#what_is_sufficiency_duty">
295 What is the Sufficiency Duty?
295 </a>
295 </li>
296 <li>
296 <a href="#most_approp_place">
296 The Most Appropriate Placement
296 </a>
296 </li>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#reasonably_practicable">
297 How can 'Reasonably Practicable' be Assessed?
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 </ol>
299 <h3 id="what_is_sufficiency_duty">
299 1. What is the Sufficiency Duty?
299 </h3>
300 <p>
300 Each Local Authority providing children's services must now take steps that secure, so far as
reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation within its area to meet the needs of children
that it is looking after and children whose circumstances are such that it would be consistent
with their welfare for them to be provided with accommodation in the local authority area. This is
referred to as 'the sufficiency duty'.
300 </p>
301 <p>
301 The sufficiency duty, therefore, applies in respect of all children who are Looked After. However,
it also applies to Children in Need who are at risk of care or custody (sometimes referred to as
children 'on the edge of care'). This acknowledges the importance - both for improving outcomes
for children and in having sufficient accommodation to meet their needs - of taking earlier,
preventive action to support children and families so that fewer children become Looked After.
301 </p>
302 <p>
302 From April 2010, local authorities had to include in relevant commissioning strategies their plans
for meeting the sufficiency duty.
302 </p>
303 <p>
303 From April 2011, working with their Children's Trust partners, local authorities must be in a
position to carry out the sufficiency duty.
303 </p>
304 <h3 id="most_approp_place">
304 2. The Most Appropriate Placement
304 </h3>
305 <p>
305 Children should not be moved from out of authority placements for the sole purpose of meeting the
sufficiency duty if their needs are being met by the existing range of services.
305 </p>
306 <p>
306 The overriding factor is that the placement must be the most appropriate placement available.
Next, preference must be given to a placement with a friend, relative or other person connected
with the child and who is a local authority foster carer. Failing that, a placement must be found,
so far as reasonably practicable in all circumstances, that:
306 </p>
307 <ul>
308 <li>
308 Is near the child's home;
308 </li>
309 <li>
309 Does not disrupt his/her education or training;
309 </li>
310 <li>
310 Enables the child to live with an accommodated sibling;
310 </li>
311 <li>
311 Where the child is disabled, is suitable to meet the needs of that child; and
311 </li>
312 <li>
312 Is within the local authority's area, unless that is not reasonably practicable.
312 </li>
313 </ul>
314 <p>
314 There is no order of priority within the categories listed in the bullet points above. All of
these are factors that have to be taken into account. For example, if placing a child within
his/her area conflicted with placing him or her near home or with a sibling, or which disrupted
his/her education, the local authority could justify placing the child out of area if this met
his/her needs more effectively than a placement within the area.
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 For the majority of Looked After children, the 'most appropriate placement' will be within the
local authority area. For those children who require highly specialist services, or children for
whom there is a safeguarding issue, it may be more appropriate for them to be placed in a
neighbouring local authority area.
315 </p>
316 <p>
316 When making decisions about the most appropriate placements for children requiring more
specialised provision, the issue of proximity to the home area must be considered, alongside the
other factors set above. Wherever possible, children requiring such provision should be placed as
close to their existing family networks and support systems as is possible and appropriate.
316 </p>
317 <p>
317 If challenged by a child, family, social worker, Children's Guardian, Independent Reviewing
Officer (IRO) or other advocate, a local authority should be in a position to demonstrate how,
working with its Children Trust partners, it has done all that is reasonably practicable to secure
sufficiency. Plans should be documented and published, within the commissioning strategy or the
Children and Young People's Plan, to allow scrutiny and challenge.
317 </p>
318 <h3 id="reasonably_practicable">
318 3. How can 'Reasonably Practicable' be Assessed?
318 </h3>
319 <p>
319 The sufficiency duty is a general duty that applies to strategic arrangements rather than to the
provision of accommodation for a particular, individual child. Local authorities must be able to
show that - at strategic level - they are taking steps to meet the sufficiency duty, so far as is
'reasonably practicable'.
319 </p>
320 <p>
320 It should not be assumed that it is 'not reasonably practicable' to secure appropriate
accommodation simply because it is difficult to do so or because the authority does not have the
resources to do so. Any constraining factors should not be taken as permanent constraints on the
local authority's requirements to comply with the sufficiency duty.
320 </p>
321 <p>
321 In assessing whether they are doing all that is 'reasonably practicable' to secure sufficiency,
there are a number of factors which local authorities, working with their Children's Trust
partners, may wish to take into account, for example:
321 </p>
322 <ul>
323 <li>
323 Current progress within an effective, phased programme to meet the sufficiency duty;
323 </li>
324 <li>
324 The number of children for whom a local placement is not consistent with their needs and
welfare;
324 </li>
325 <li>
325 The extent to which local universal services meet needs;
325 </li>
326 <li>
326 The state of the local market for accommodation, including the level of demand in a particular
locality and the amount and type of supply that currently exists;
326 </li>
327 <li>
327 The degree to which they are actively managing this market;
327 </li>
328 <li>
328 The resources available to, and capabilities of, accommodation providers (where 'resources'
means not just the available funding but also staff and premises, and 'capabilities' includes
experience and expertise); and
328 </li>
329 <li>
329 The Children's Trust's resources, capabilities and overall budget priorities.
329 </li>
330 </ul>
332 </div>
335 </main>
336 </div>
339 <footer>
340 <div class="footer">
341 <div>
342 <p>
342 <a href="privacypolicy.html">
342 Privacy Policy
342 </a>
342 <br>
343 <span style="font-size:small;">
344 <span id='desktop_button' tabindex='0'>
344 Desktop
344 </span>
344 |
344 <span id='mobile_button' tabindex='0'>
344 Mobile
344 </span>
344 |
344 <span id='responsive_button' tabindex='0' style='text-decoration:underline'>
344 Responsive
344 </span>
344 </span>
344 </p>
346 <div id="trix_logo">
347 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" class="imagelink">
347 <img src="images/trixlogo.png" height="40" alt="Tri.x Logo links to Tri.x homepage"/>
347 </a>
348 </div>
349 </div>
350 </div>
352 </footer>
353 <div id="desktoptest">
353 </div>
354 <script>
481 </script>
483 <script>
492 </script>
494 <script>
541 </script>
544 <script>
546 </script>
554 <script>
593 </script>
594 <script type="text/javascript">
594 </script>
596 <script>
635 </script>
639 <script type="text/javascript">
651 </script>
652 </body>
653 </html>