ABSTRACT

[21] Needs, Numbers, Resources: Informed planning for looked after children Karin Janzon, Director, Care Equation Ltd Dr Ruth Sinclair. Director of Research. National Children's Bureau Abstract This case study illustrates how analysis of basic published and internally collected routine data on looked after children can be used to achieve a better understanding of patterns and trends over time within an authority, produce comparisons and benchmarking in relation to similar authorities, expose data quality issues, challenge mis-conceptions and myths and help organisations to plan pro-actively based on evidence. Whilst the case study is time and location specific, the findings raise questions about potentially wasted opportunities to use the information sources already available to local authorities to underpin a more evidenced based approach to planning for children's services.