News

"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," 

Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, responds to the Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies’ report on childhood obesity.

“Councils are extremely concerned about the financial viability of early years providers, many of whom are operating at a loss in order to provide vital childcare for our critical workers and most vulnerable children."

“Every child should have a fair chance of getting into their parents’ preferred school and councils and schools work extremely hard to try and ensure that as many pupils as possible are allocated their first preference.”

“Councils have a track record of doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place, having created more than 800,000 new places since 2010."

“Councils have been working closely with schools throughout the coronavirus pandemic to ensure they remain open for vulnerable children and families, and where needed, councils have delivered vital IT equipment for children."

"Councils share the Commissioner’s concerns about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on vulnerable teenagers."

“Early intervention services such as children’s centres and family support services play a crucial role in supporting children and helping to prevent problems becoming more serious later on."

"We need to develop a system that says yes to all children and young people, rather than no, when they ask for help. Children and their families need help and support right now - depression, anxiety, bereavement, and family crises do not wait."

“The Government needs to use the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure councils have long-term, sustainable funding to invest in preventative, universal and early help services so children, young people and families receive the practical, emotional, educational and mental health support they need, as soon as they need it.”