The Cost Calculator can predict costs for a time period ending in the future if the End Date <link to Set Calc Params.jpg> you set is in the future. These costs are calculated on the basis that all children  who are currently looked after remain in their existing placements until the End Date you have chosen.

The What If? analyses in the Cost Calculator allow you to see how costs would change if, for example, you placed children in agency residential care rather than local authority foster care; or if instead of relying on agency placements you recruited and paid higher allowances and/or fees to a number of specialist foster carers who can be designated as a customised placement type.