The number of children’s social workers employed by councils will need to increase by 13,000 – nearly a third – over the next decade because of growing need and to reduce increasing reliance on agency staff.
The LGA has warned that youth services are “under threat” without fresh investment in local grass-roots provision for young people.
While there are many reasons to be positive about the future of education and children’s social care, huge challenges remain.
Young people with care backgrounds are a priority group for targeted support to increase their access to further and higher education.
The LGA has renewed calls for the soft drinks levy to be devolved to councils.
A report by the National Audit Office has found that England’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is not delivering better outcomes for children and young people.
Child protection investigations have hit a record high, with numbers amounting to more than 600 a day on average, the LGA has warned.
A new report by NHS Providers has warned a “forgotten” generation’s life chances are being harmed by delays in accessing care.
There has recently been significant focus on how councils can ensure the right homes for children in their care, as well as how kinship arrangements can be strengthened to help more children stay safely with their wider families.
