This month we’re pleased to include details of the research that we undertook in partnership with the London Borough of Newham about supporting looked after children closer to home. In addition, this month's issue includes details of the early findings of our research with ADAAS regarding how councils can maintain an adequate supply of good quality home care. Our research finds several examples of good practice including: actively encouraging smaller home care businesses through more stable contracting and payment arrangements, developing outcome-based home care specifications, working with selected providers to design a service that meets the council's needs, and proactively supporting the development of local trade bodies and resourcing them to provide training to frontline care staff.