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“The pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health problems, particularly for children living in families with lower incomes and whose parents may be experiencing financial difficulties.”

The LGA’s report shows that some independent providers of children’s residential and fostering placements are achieving profits of more than 20 per cent on their income.

"Councils have been working hard with their partners to respond to changing and emerging threats to children and young people, including criminal exploitation, through online and virtual contact and resources, as well as high priority home visits."

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the Local Government Association's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responds to the Children’s Commissioner’s report that looks at how effectively existing infrastructure within local authorities is being used to deliver a public health approach to preventing gang involvement and youth violence.

Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: “Today’s announcements are positive steps towards ensuring that all children in care live in good quality homes that meet their needs and help them to thrive."

“This is a positive step amid the pandemic which has exacerbated existing child mental health problems and will help support an expected surge in related cases as schools reopen next week."

“We support calls in the report for a review of the early years system to ensure that investment supports the Government’s ambitions and that parents are clear on the best options for their children".

"While the Government’s recent funding boost for mental health support for children and young people is a positive step, it is vital that mental health needs are at the heart of our overall approach to health and wellbeing," 

"We are pleased that this review draws on our earlier research and aims to consider many of our concerns around the ‘market’ for children’s social care provision and how this impacts on children."

“The Government should work with councils and schools on education recovery and set out plans for the summer and beyond as soon as possible to help teachers and staff plan ahead to make up for lost learning due to the pandemic."