LGA responds to Ofsted report on children's social care

Responding to the publication of children’s social care data in England for 2018/19 by Ofsted, which shows the proportion of council children’s services rated good or outstanding has increased, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:

“Protecting children and helping them to get the very best in life is one of the most important things that councils do and it is positive that the proportion of children’s services departments rated good or outstanding has increased.

“Despite this many are being pushed to the brink by unprecedented demand and increasing financial pressures, with an average of 88 children entering care every single day.

“Councils have pulled out all the stops to protect children’s budgets but are now being forced to cut funding for vital services such as early intervention support, leaving some children having to reach crisis point before they get help.

“The funding the LGA has received from government to improve children’s services and deliver a programme of sector-led support to councils will provide a number of benefits such as sharing good practice and expertise.

“The Government also needs to use the Spending Review to plug the funding gap facing children’s services, which will reach £3.1 billion by 2025. If government is serious about protecting and support children, they need to provide the funding needed.”

Notes to editors

Councils in England face an overall funding gap of £8 billion by 2025. The LGA’s #CouncilsCan campaign aims to influence the forthcoming Spending Review and highlight the growing risk to vital local services if the Government does not take action to secure the financial sustainability of councils. Visit our campaign page for more information.