Comment on Court of Appeal Judgement on flexibilities afforded to...

ADCS President Jenny Coles said:

“Children’s services continue to do everything they can to safeguard and support children, young people and their families during the pandemic, and we are working very hard to fulfil our statutory responsibilities. Many of the regulatory flexibilities afforded to children’s social care in the early stages of the pandemic were were not used. However, the ones that were used were found to be helpful for local authorities during this unprecedented time. Where they were used we recorded this and put in place checks and balances. Children’s best interests have been, and will always be at the heart of our decision making.

Today’s Court of Appeal judgement found that the Secretary of State should have consulted with the Children’s Commissioner and other bodies representing the rights of children in care, however, this will have no retrospective impact on the flexibilities that were introduced in April and that have since expired. Although ADCS was not directly consulted on the detailed changes made to Regulations relating to children’s social care, we continue to work with Government to ensure that the needs of children and families are front and centre during this ongoing public health crisis.”

ENDS

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