Early Intervention Foundation’s report on the cost of late...

Dave Hill, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said:

“This report shows that the annual cost of late intervention is still unacceptably high at nearly £17bn and local authorities continue to bear the largest share. The human cost to children and young people is much greater and can have a lasting impact on generations of families. Councils know that we can make the strongest difference to children and young people’s outcomes by investing in early intervention and preventative services before problems become entrenched and reach crisis point but the current financial context is tough and as the pressure on our budgets increases, so too does the pressure on these services. The report rightly states that there will always be a need to spend on late intervention, for example, by taking children into care when necessary, but we must get the balance right. For a while a period of double investment in both early help and high end child protection services will be necessary but in time we will realise the benefits. This will not be an easy undertaking and will be particularly difficult for deprived regions that are often supporting families facing more complex issues and social conditions but doing nothing is not an option – the risks for children and families is too great. There is a strong argument for a shift away from reactive spending but central government is not enabling this approach in local areas.”

ENDS

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