News

“It is clear that many people will need to reskill for new jobs after the pandemic and it is good that the Queen’s Speech has included plans to attempt to address this."

“This cross-government review of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support is good news and is what the LGA has previously called for."

“Despite the best of intentions, the current system is not working, and we are pleased government has set out reforms to address this. They will only succeed if parents and carers have confidence in the system."

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board Cllr Judith Blake, responds to an announcement by the Secretary of State for Education about reforms to the Adoption Support Fund.

“Councils have a crucial role to play in education, from ensuring every child has a school place to turning around struggling schools, and as they showed when providing vital support to schools during the pandemic."

“Councils continue to face immense demand pressures in providing vital care and support for children and young people with SEND and are running increasing deficits on their high needs budgets which finance SEND services."

"If we’re to meet the demand for school places then councils should be given back the powers to open new maintained schools and existing academy schools should expand where required."

"A clear national message is now needed from government about the safe return of children to schools and the scientific advice must be accessible for all parents to support efforts by schools and councils."

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to a RSPH report on improving the street environment to help tackle childhood obesity.

"We need to develop a system that says yes, rather than no, to children when they ask for help."