It is the general duty of a local authority to take steps that secure, so far as reasonably practicable, the outcome in subsection (2).
The outcome is that the local authority are able to provide the children mentioned in subsection (3) with accommodation that—
is within the authority's area; and
meets the needs of those children.
The children referred to in subsection (2) are those—
that the local authority are looking after,
in respect of whom the authority are unable to make arrangements under section 22C(2), and
whose circumstances are such that it would be consistent with their welfare for them to be provided with accommodation that is in the authority's area.
In taking steps to secure the outcome in subsection (2), the local authority must have regard to the benefit of having—
a number of accommodation providers in their area that is, in their opinion, sufficient to secure that outcome; and
a range of accommodation in their area capable of meeting different needs that is, in their opinion, sufficient to secure that outcome.
In this section " accommodation providers " means—
local authority foster parents; and
children's homes in respect of which a person is registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000.