Pressures facing children’s services
Ian Thomas, Chair of the ADCS Resources and Sustainability Policy Committee, said:
“The impact of seven years of austerity on children and families and the services they rely on cannot be understated. Since 2010 there has been an average 40% reduction in funding for local authorities, at the same time demand for our services has risen dramatically. Although councils have worked hard to minimise the impact of these cuts on the communities we serve, savings from services such as children’s centres and youth services have been required in order to balance the books. This, coupled with pressures across other public agencies including the NHS and the police, is seriously hampering our ability to support children and families earlier before problems escalate and reach crisis point. ADCS believes this is, in part, contributing to the rising numbers of children coming into our care.
“Providing help and support to children and families early is the only way to manage demand and improve outcomes for children and their families in the long run, not doing so is a false economy. We urge the government to use the forthcoming autumn Budget to reaffirm their commitment to children and young people by taking a long term strategic view of how we invest in our public services, particularly in early help and preventative services. We cannot continue to function as we are with a £2 billion funding gap looming large on the horizon.”
ENDS
Related Articles
Commenting on the NAO report ‘Financial sustainability of schools in...
In General Funding
Commenting on SEND deficits ADCS Vice President Charlotte Ramsden said:
In General Funding
ADCS response to the consultation on eligibility for free school meals and the...
In General Funding
Commenting on the Autumn statement, ADCS President Steve Crocker said:
In General Funding
ADCS President responds to an additional £500m for social care
In General Funding
Comment on the Resolution Foundation’s analysis of expected cuts to...
In General Funding
ADCS President John Pearce said: “Local authority children’s services...
In General Funding
Chris Munday, Chair of the ADCS Resources & Strategy Policy Committee said:
In General Funding
There is no doubt that the earlier we work with children and families to help...
In General Funding
Comment in CYP Now about the impact of cuts made in the Chancellor’s...
In General Funding
Responding to the Chancellor’s mini budget, ADCS President Steve Crocker said:
In General Funding
Commenting on the 2020 Spending Review, Jenny Coles said… ENDS
In General Funding
ADCS response to the National Children’s Bureau report, ‘Off the Radar’