Sandwell Council plans to open new children's homes due to increased placement costs.

Sandwell Council plans to open new children's homes due to a £2.75m rise in the cost of placements within the past year. Over 90% of children in care in Sandwell are currently placed outside the borough, leading to increased costs for visiting and arranging contact. The council's children's scrutiny board noted that not having sufficient local provision results in children being placed far from Sandwell.