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“Mental health needs to be at the heart of a holistic approach to overall health and wellbeing, including investment in community-based services, such as youth services. Health and wellbeing should be intrinsically linked to a child-led education recovery plan."

“To further support the education of children with special educational needs and disabilities, the Government should urgently complete its ongoing review of the SEND system"

“Councils want to work with government to prioritise a child-centred recovery plan which offers the brightest future for children and families as we recover from the pandemic – it is essential this plan goes beyond the First 1000 days so that councils can intervene early at whichever stage families need it."

“The CMA has confirmed our recent findings that private equity providers are making extremely high profits and carrying concerning levels of debt that risks the stability of homes for children in care, which is paramount if they are to thrive."

School-based counselling needs to be available and fully funded by the Government in all state funded secondary schools and academies to help support rising numbers of children and young people reporting mental health issues during COVID-19, the Local Government Association urges today.

Early support hubs which allow young people to access mental health support without referrals should be made available nationwide to help tackle a rise in mental health issues during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has taken its toll on children and young people, including their education and social routines, but this disruption has been worse for those with special educational needs and disabilities"

With councils now looking after nearly 16,000 more children than they were 10 years ago, and the needs of those young people becoming more complex, it is becoming increasingly difficult for councils to make sure that every child has the best home to meet their needs

“We support the ambition of the independent review of children’s social care to make sure children, including those in care, grow up in loving, stable and safe environments.

“The forthcoming Spending Review should properly resource all early years settings so that councils and providers can support the Government’s ambition to reduce the attainment gap and ensure that every child has the best start in life.”