Essential tool for regional planning Residential Child Care placements – Kraljic matrix
Not all needs and provision require the same level of engagement. A Kraljic Matrix is useful to categorise suppliers as Strategic, Bottleneck, Leverage, or Non-critical based on profit, impact and supply risk.
In the context of children’s homes procurement a Kraljic Matrix segments services based on
- Supply Risk(scarcity, quality, regulatory compliance)
- Business Impact(financial cost and impact on child outcomes).
NCERCC Kraljic Matrix for Children’s Homes (2026)
| Category | Supply Risk | Business Impact | Examples in Children’s Care | Strategic Approach |
| Strategic Items | High | High | Specialist therapeutic homes, secure units, or homes for complex medical/disability needs. | Partnerships: Long-term strategic alliances and joint ventures with providers to guarantee capacity. |
| Bottleneck Items | High | Low | Niche therapeutic training, emergency crisis transport, or highly specialised 1:1 staffing agencies. | Supply Continuity: Secure volume and maintain stocks; look for alternative models to reduce dependency. |
| Leverage Items | Low | High | Standard residential care placements (mainstream), large-scale regional frameworks. | Exploit Purchasing Power: Use competitive tendering and framework agreements to drive value and quality. |
