The LGA has published its vision for children and young people
The LGA has laid out a transformative roadmap to create supportive environments in which children can thrive, underpinned by the things that children and young people themselves have told us are important to them.
Launched at the National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) in Liverpool in November, ‘Our vision for children, young people and families’ states that, while childhood can be joyous and exciting, it also comes with challenges that shape resilience and growth.
By addressing key needs and building on local councils’ expertise, the vision outlines a comprehensive strategy based on five key pillars: love, fun, a chance to learn and grow, safety, and health.
At the heart of the vision is the recognition that love is essential for every child. Loving homes and relationships are fundamental to nurturing confidence, emotional security, and resilience. This principle underscores the need for policies and services that support families to provide stable, affectionate environments for children.
Fun is also a crucial part of childhood. Opportunities for play, leisure, and creative exploration not only contribute to a child’s happiness, but also foster social skills and cognitive development.
To support this, the vision calls for investment in local cultural and recreational activities, including parks, sports facilities, libraries, and museums. These resources, coordinated by councils, create vibrant communities where children can safely enjoy themselves and form lasting friendships.
“Children must feel – and be – safe to explore the world confidently, including online”
Education – the chance to learn and grow – lies at the core of personal growth and future independence. However, the report acknowledges that the educational landscape has become fragmented, presenting challenges for equitable access to quality learning.
It calls for councils to play a co-leadership role, alongside schools and other educational providers, to ensure every child receives the support they need, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The report also emphasises the importance of tailoring education to individual needs, preparing children not just for academic success but also for meaningful employment and lifelong learning. It urges reforms to make schools more inclusive and adaptable, ensuring all children have a chance to thrive.
Whether ensuring secure housing, addressing child homelessness, or protecting vulnerable children in care, safety is a recurring theme throughout the report. Children must feel – and be – safe to explore the world confidently, including online.
The report also highlights the importance of tackling discrimination and systemic inequalities that undermine safety and wellbeing for marginalised groups, including black children, LGBTQIA+ youth, and children with disabilities. By creating inclusive and non-discriminatory services, councils can foster environments where all children feel valued and protected.
Finally, the report places equal emphasis on physical and mental health, advocating for timely access to healthcare, preventative services, and mental health support. It acknowledges the critical role of addressing the wider determinants of health – such as housing, nutrition and poverty – while also calling for better integration between health and social care services.
Rising demand for mental health support also underscores the need for accessible and tailored support for children and young people.
The report highlights that delivering on these five major themes requires collaboration across all levels of government, as well as with private, public and voluntary organisations.
Councils, as leaders of their communities, are seen as critical to designing and delivering services that reflect local needs.
To achieve the vision outlined, the report makes several key recommendations, including for a cross-government strategy for children, and on funding, workforce, housing, education, and data and partnerships. It says the Department for Education must lead on a cross-Whitehall ambition for babies, children and young people, informed by children themselves and with the role of each department clearly articulated, along with the introduction of ‘children and young people impact assessments’, to ensure the voices and needs of children are central to all new policies and legislation.
Additionally, every service supporting babies, children and young people needs long-term sufficient and sustainable funding that prioritises both early intervention and universal services, reducing the need for crisis interventions.
Recognising shortages in key professions such as social work, teaching and health services, our vision calls for a workforce plan for children’s services. We need investment in training, recruitment and retention to build a robust workforce dedicated to supporting children and families.
A clear housing plan is essential to eliminate child homelessness and provide stable accommodation for children in care; and councils, schools and other providers should work together to create inclusive educational environments that nurture every child’s potential.
Improved data sharing and partnerships between councils, schools, health services and other agencies are also key to delivering coordinated support and achieving better outcomes for children.
A major theme in the vision is the need to tackle inequality and discrimination head-on. It calls for comprehensive measures to address disparities in education, health and social services, ensuring that no child is left behind because of their background or circumstances.
So, where do we want to get to?
Our vision is one where no child grows up in poverty. Families must have sufficient resources to live healthily, with welfare systems and local support networks enabling financial resilience and supporting parents to work where possible.
Access to flexible childcare is vital for working families, alongside high-quality early education for children.
“Homelessness and reliance on insecure accommodation must end”
Every child deserves access to a good local school with the right support to meet their needs, as well as to a safe, warm and stable home with enough space to thrive. Homelessness and reliance on insecure accommodation – such as hotels or bed and breakfasts – must end.
Homes should be adaptable to meet the needs of children with disabilities and provide suitable environments for children in care.
Health starts early, and universal preventative services such as health visiting and school nursing are critical for identifying risks and providing early interventions. Long-term investment in these services improves children’s school readiness, resilience, and future employment prospects.
Every child must have access to high-quality healthcare, including NHS dentistry and mental health support.
For children with chronic conditions or disabilities, integrated health and social care services should ensure timely, appropriate care and smooth transitions into adult services.
Mental health support requires a whole-system approach. Inclusive schools, accessible leisure activities, and early intervention can prevent issues from escalating. Mental health support teams should be available in schools and communities, with rapid access to specialist services for children in care or seeking asylum.
Families must be able to afford nutritious food, and free school meals should be easily accessible to eligible children. Education on cooking and budgeting promotes lifelong health.
Climate change action at all levels safeguards children’s futures, addressing risks to health and homes while supporting mental wellbeing.
Together, these measures lay a foundation for every child to thrive and live to their fullest potential.
- Read ‘Our vision for children, young people and families’ in full on our website.