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We remain concerned that additional funding for children’s social care reform is significantly lower than that recommended by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

“The number of children in need of support from councils is now at its highest level since before the pandemic."

“Good attendance at school plays a vital role in children’s development, however councils lack the powers to ensure children who are missing school don’t slip through the net, such as directing academies to accept pupils."

Children’s services are continuing to deliver improvements and sustain strong performance, despite significant national challenges, a new report commissioned by the Local Government Association reveals today.

“It is absolutely vital that the Autumn Statement ensures that children’s services are adequately funded."

The largest independent providers of children’s social care brought in profits of more than £300 million last year, a new report commissioned by the Local Government Association reveals today.

“These figures emphasise how vital it is that next week’s Autumn Statement ensures that children’s services are adequately funded so councils can meet this rising demand and ensure children and their families get the support they need, as soon as they need it.

A coalition of councils, charities and campaigners - including those with experience of the children’s care system - has written a joint open letter to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him in Wednesday’s Autumn Statement to provide the funding children’s social care “desperately needs…before it is pushed to the brink”.

The number of children’s social care placements costing £10,000 or more per week has risen sharply in five years, a survey of councils by the Local Government Association reveals today.

“Councils want to ensure that every child gets the very best education and schooling in life; and are best placed to understand the needs of their community and be able to provide for them."