Autumn Spending Review

Commenting on the upcoming autumn spending review, Alison O’Sullivan, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said:

“No one can underestimate how hard local authorities have worked to minimise the impact of reduced resources and increased demand on the most vulnerable in our communities. They have responded creatively by forming new partnerships, re-modelling services and finding innovative ways of doing more for less. But when local budgets come under pressure non-statutory parts of the system are most vulnerable to spending cuts which reduces capacity in the system for early intervention, increasing the need for more costly intervention once problems escalate. So whilst we know that further cuts will be made government must remember that planned spending for children’s services is based upon the twin realities that demand pressures and demographic pressures, from rising numbers of children particularly in areas of deprivation, continues to grow. And the next round of reductions runs the risk that in many places we will not be able to meet core requirements for the children, young people and families who need our help and support the most.”

ENDS

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) Ltd is the professional leadership association for Directors of Children’s Services and their senior management teams in England.

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