That:

(a)   the Regional Flexible Contracting Arrangement (FCA) for the provision of placements in children’s homes be adopted to support the purchasing of residential accommodation up to an annual value of £5.5m ;

(b)  the Director for Children’s and Families and relevant Assistant Directors  be authorised to take all necessary operational decisions to implement the above recommendation, including award of placement agreements and mini-block contracts through the FCA;

(c)  the Director for Children’s and Families  and relevant Assistant Directors  be further authorised to take all necessary operational decisions to spot-purchase placements outside the FCA should the need arise for individual children.