In our report, commissioning children's services – what works? Demos makes a series of recommendations aimed at maximising the benefits of outsourcing, three of which are targeted at local authorities.

Two of the recommendations are easy to understand – although not as straightforward to implement. They urge local authorities to prioritise data collection, and to facilitate community-led exercises in which local stakeholders define desired outcomes for looked-after children and children with special educational needs and disabilities in the area.