COUNTY council chiefs look set to double the number of children’s homes it runs in a move the authority claims will reduce its reliance on costly private placements.

Fifteen new facilities would be created under the plans, which are expected to get the green light from cabinet members next week.

Controversy has dogged such applications in East Lancs with Tory-controlled Hyndburn Council launching an inquiry into planning criteria for the 'mushrooming' industry for privately-run homes..

County Hall wants to boost the number of council-operated homes for looked-after children in Lancashire –though the figure now proposed is far higher than anything previously hinted at in public.

If the scheme is approved, it will bring to 30 the tally of in-house facilities – adding an extra 40 beds to the 60 already available.  That would make the authority the largest operator of council children’s homes in the country.

County officials say the change would make it easier to secure “the right home in the right place and [at] the right time” for Lancashire children, as well as giving them greater stability. However, a cabinet report acknowledges the risk of “concerns from residents about the location and operation of homes in their area”.

Rising costs for beds in privately-run children’s homes – especially for those with the most complex needs, are a concern. In Lancashire, just 15 per cent of the children in the county council’s care live in 'agency'' homes, yet they account for nearly half of the placements budget.

A recent report suggested savings achieved as a result of a reduction of the number of children in the care system in Lancashire – some of whom are in foster care – was being swallowed up by an increase in the youngsters with “extremely complex needs” who require a suitable placement.

Eighty-three children are currently living in homes classed as high cost – generating bills of £6,000 or more per week.

The authority estimates the annual bill for in-house facilities, including repayment of the borrowing needed to buy them, will be £15.1m from 2027/28 – a saving of around £2.1m on agency placements.

The 15 existing in-house children’s homes run by the county council are typically larger facilities designed for young people with lower-level needs. That means the authority often has to turn to private providers.

While Lancashire has more children’s homes across the private and public sector than any other local authority in England – 274 in total – 70 percent of the private agency facilities are not providing homes for Lancashire children, the cabinet report says.

County councillors have previously raised concerns about Lancashire children being looked after in other parts of the country as a result of the lack of local placements for them.

County Hall says it wants to acquire four four-bed homes, 11 two-bed properties and two solo “crisis beds” in an existing children’s home.

The facilities – both current and newly-established – would be arranged in six clusters of between five and eight homes.  They would be overseen by a ‘responsible individual’ – an official role required as part of the process of registering with the regulator Ofsted.

Homes within each cluster would be overseen by a home manager, each responsible for between seven and eight children.

A report to cabinet members adds: “Lancashire’s in-house service has a good track record of successful integration within communities and of operating good or outstanding homes, but it will be challenging to ensure all homes are rated as such at any point in time."