{"id":1194,"date":"2021-06-02T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T07:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.competitionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1194"},"modified":"2021-05-19T11:42:20","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T10:42:20","slug":"cma-launches-childrens-social-care-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.competitionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/cma-launches-childrens-social-care-study","title":{"rendered":"CMA launches children’s social care study"},"content":{"rendered":"

In March, the CMA announced its intention to begin a children\u2019s social care study in an effort to understand the rising costs of care and lack of supply reportedly affecting the sector. The review is only a preliminary step, but it could lead to future recommendations or, potentially, a full investigation into social care.<\/p>\n

The announcement is said to have come following concerns from other organisations, which have raised the issue of private sector provision of social care and the high profits these private providers may be reaping. In January, Josh MacAlister, chair of the Independent Review of Children\u2019s Social Care in England, wrote to the CMA asking for the social care market to be investigated.<\/p>\n

There is no evidence to suggest that the CMA is looking into anti-competitive practices in children\u2019s social care, or breaches of competition law<\/strong><\/a>. Instead, the CMA is investigating how profit-driven companies may be affecting the provision of appropriate placements for children.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The state of the sector<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In his letter to the CMA, Josh MacAlister cited the following issues in children\u2019s social care:<\/p>\n