Member

On the point about evaluating the regional care co-operatives, raised by the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, the department has commissioned Ecorys UK to carry out an independent evaluation of the pathfinders. This is in partnership with the University of Oxford, Research in Practice and Dr Claire Baker. We are expecting the first full draft report in June—so now. The evaluation aim is to assess implementation and delivery of the regional care co-operative pathfinders and to assess their long-term impact on improving the commissioning and placements of children and their outcomes. Regular findings will be used to ensure that future investment is targeted correctly and that policies are developed in the most effective way. Regular outputs on findings will be published on GOV.UK, including annual reports. A final report will be published at the end of the evaluation, in March 2029. There will be regular learning and dissemination of findings to key stakeholders to feed into the development of the programme.