Briefings and responses

LGA briefing on the House of Lords debate on school places and fair funding, Thursday 16 November 2017

Councils play a vital role in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They also play a broader role in promoting good mental health and tackling mental ill health, and are committed to providing all young people with the support they need to thrive. 

Single parents – the majority of which are women (90 percent) – and their children are more likely to be in poverty than any other type of household.

Challenges caused by the systematic underfunding of early years provision are being exacerbated by the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures. This is negatively impacting the financial viability of early years providers, the quality and access of childcare provision, and the availability of good support for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Challenges caused by the systematic underfunding of early years provision are being exacerbated by the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures. This is negatively impacting the financial viability of early years providers and the quality of, and access to, childcare provision.

Councils have a vital role in supporting children and young people’s mental wellbeing and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. We are calling for a cross-Whitehall strategy that puts children and young people at the heart of recovery.

Councils want to do all they can to keep children and young people safe and to help them to thrive.

Councils want to do all they can to keep children and young people safe and to help them to thrive.

The Department for Education’s most recent figures show there were 72,670 children in care in England on 31 March 2017. Of these, 53,420 were cared for in a foster placement, including 8,830 placed with family or friends. 2,520 were placed for adoption, representing 3 per cent of all looked-after children.