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<p>The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (CYPA) allowed some local authorities to
contract out looked after children and care leaver functions for a five-year pilot
period. As a result, small autonomous practitioner-led organisations (Social Work
Practices) were encouraged to develop. Between 2008 and 2012, 15 local authorities
were involved in the pilot to create more tailored social work approaches.</p><p>The
evaluation of Social Work Practices identified evidence of positive change through
delegated arrangements for looked after children and care leavers. As a result, in
November 2013, the freedoms in the CYPA were extended to all local authorities.</p><p>Staffordshire
County Council have also recently received a ‘good' rating from Ofsted under the new
single inspection framework, which included the social work practice 'Evolve YP'.</p><p>Some
local authorities have asked the Government to extend these freedoms to other areas
of children's social care. The current proposals will encourage greater innovative
approaches for all local authorities to take the step from adequate or good children's
services to excellent ones. The consultation on these proposals closed on 30 May and
the Government is currently considering the responses.</p><p> </p>
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