LGA warns of anticipated spike in demand for services after falling numbers of referrals in lockdown
The Local Government Association is urging the government to use the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure councils have long-term, sustainable funding for children’s services ahead of anticipated rise in demand for support services.
While the number of referrals to children’s services decreased during lockdown, the impact of the restrictions imposed to combat the spread of coronavirus [...]
Vulnerable children ‘at heightened risk” as a result of COVID-19
The outbreak of the coronavirus has put hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children in England at heightened risk, the children’s commissioner has warned.
Anne Longfield has raised concerns about the dangers of vulnerable children falling through gaps in services and policy, adding that lockdown measures have removed most of the usual ways of identifying children at [...]
Special Report: Government urges local authorities to prioritise adoption
The government has urged local authorities to prioritise adoption for vulnerable children in care although some areas of the sector have slammed the move.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson has called on councils not to shy away from putting children forward for adoption, and has asked them to review their practices following a drop in the [...]
Return to Social Work scheme launched
A scheme to encourage former social workers to return to the profession has been launched by the Local Government Association and the Government Equalities Office.
The Return to Social Work programme offers free training to 200 former social workers so they can restart their careers in local government. The successful candidates will receive high quality [...]
LGA urges investment in children's services
The Local Government Association has urged the next government to invest in children's services to ensure local authorities can fulfill the ambitions of The Children Act 1989.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the 1989 legislation, the LGA called for children's services to be fully funded, alongside investment in the wider breadth of services which provide [...]
Domestic Abuse Bill needs greater focus on supporting child victims
Local authorities have urged more emphasis on supporting child victims of domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Bill.
As the Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons earlier this month, the Local Government Association said they would like to see more emphasis on how children can be supported when they have experienced [...]
