News

Growing demand for support has lead to 75 per cent of councils in England overspending on their children’s services budgets by more than half a billion pounds.

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.

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.

“We are pleased that the Government has listened to our call to extend the food voucher scheme to cover the Easter holidays."

"Today’s decision provides much needed clarity for head teachers, parents and families."

“Councils are keen to support their local schools to get children back as soon as possible. However, the safety of children, their families and staff will always be the top priority."

School closures, staff sickness and coronavirus demand on resources has left many councils struggling to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, the Local Government Association says today.  

Action is urgently needed to make sure children and young people detained in youth offending institutions and secure training centres are safe, council leaders say.

"Councils want every child to have a good quality of life and be able to improve their circumstances regardless of their background or where they live. It is absolutely right that the DfE is embracing the social mobility agenda, but this goes much further than just education."

“Over recent years councils have created an extra 600,000 new places. This is a demonstrable record that they are doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place."