Benchmark ‘clubs’ will compare costs

Councils will be able to examine the significant disparities in unit costs for social care services between areas through a scheme launched this week.

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy is setting up benchmarking “clubs” for learning difficulties and children’s services to enable councils to share
information on costs with a view to making efficiency gains.

Cipfa benchmarking manager David Henderson-Stewart said he hoped more than 100 of the 150 English councils with social services authorities would join the clubs, and
it would be up to local authorities to act on any findings.

He said the clubs could help address funding shortages in social care by revealing opportunities for efficiency gains.