Councils are best-placed to understand the range of needs faced by disadvantaged children.
We welcome the focus on poverty in a child’s early years outlined in the Prime Minister’s recent speech on life chances. This recognised that the early experiences of children from more deprived backgrounds have an impact on life chances, attainment and social mobility.
Councils are best-placed to understand the range of needs faced by children and families, but their scope to provide integrated support and ensure good quality family and early years provision is constrained by the current funding formula and lack of influence over key partners, for example in education and employment.