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<p>Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure there is sufficient accommodation
for looked-after children in their area. Although there is no requirement for local
authorities to provide accommodation in their own area, they may place children in
provision offered by the private and voluntary sectors, and placement location is
one of the factors that they must take into account when identifying a suitable placement
for a child.</p><p>The department is supporting a number of projects to increase capacity
locally. Through our £200 million Children’s Social Care Innovation programme, we
are funding projects that will increase the number of residential care placements
available in London, where demand for placements outstrips supply.</p><p>We are providing
seed funding to three local authorities to set up new secure provision, where out
of area placements are particularly common. In 2019, we will also be providing seed
funding to fostering partnerships to increase their local sufficiency of foster parents.</p>
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