New government proposals set up councils for social service outsourcing opportunities.

Consultation papers between the Department for Education (DfE) and councils have revealed plans to allow councils “to harness third party expertise, and/or set up more agile delivery structures outside traditional hierarchies”.

The new proposals if implemented would allow for a wider range of services and functions that can be delegated by councils under the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

The papers detailed that councils would still be responsible for the performance of the social services in 3rd party care and would be still required to meet statutory obligations.

The consultation process is set to close at the end of May but the planned privatisation of social services has been criticised by Unison for fragmenting services rather than promoting cohesion.

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