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“Good attendance at school plays a vital role in children’s development, however councils lack the powers to ensure children who are missing school don’t slip through the net, such as directing academies to accept pupils."

“The number of children in need of support from councils is now at its highest level since before the pandemic."

We remain concerned that additional funding for children’s social care reform is significantly lower than that recommended by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

Nearly nine in 10 councils fear that nursery closures this year will undermine capacity ahead of the rollout of the Government’s extension of the 30 hours free childcare scheme, new research by the Local Government Association reveals today. 

“Access to childcare is vital for all families, especially for those on the lowest incomes, the most disadvantaged children, women and single-parent families."

"We have long raised with government that councils lack the powers to ensure that children who are missing school don’t slip through the net."

Tougher powers are needed for councils to oversee and regulate out-of-school settings (OOSS) – including being able to shut down illegal schools – after an independent report commissioned by the Government uncovered major safeguarding concerns. The Department for Education funded a pilot in 16 council areas over an 18-month period into the oversight of OOSS, examining safeguarding risks and existing legal powers available to councils. OOSS is a wide range of provision including uniformed organisations, sports and leisure clubs, supplementary schools, faith-based organisations and arts clubs

Everybody should have the chance to work or retrain, to help increase their aspirations and skills to realise their potential. The labour market has changed significantly in recent years and continues to adapt, so people need joined up local support.

It is positive that this report recognises significant improvements from councils in providing children’s services, despite the many challenges they face in the education, said Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board.

A record number of children with mental health problems were seen by social workers last year, an increase of more than a half in five years, latest figures show.