News

“We have particular concerns around provision for disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and disabilities if funding rates continue to fall below the cost of delivering services."

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, responds to a report from the Children’s Commissioner warning that too many vulnerable young children are missing out on the vital speech and language help they need to get ready for school.

More than 130 extra children and young people with special needs are being supported by councils every day, new figures reveal, prompting calls for government funding to tackle a growing “national special needs emergency”.

“It is inevitable that without new investment from government in children’s services, councils will face the difficult but unavoidable decision of having to cut or close early help services such as children’s centres."

“These findings clearly show that staying under council control delivers better results for a school than those which convert to an academy."

"Every child in a secure placement will receive significant support from their council to make sure that they are safe, that their needs are being met and to ensure that they are only in that placement for as long as is necessary and appropriate."

“Councils are determined to do all they can to protect young people and keep them safe, but their efforts are being seriously hampered by the lack of clarity around such a vital source of funding."

“It is no exaggeration to say that the contribution foster carers make to improving the lives of some of society’s most vulnerable children is often heroic, changing the lives of children across the country every day."

Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responds to the announcement of a new government programme to protect children at risk of exploitation.

“The shocking surge in children and young people tragically involved in knife crime and gang activity only reinforces the need to invest in local services to support and work with children and young people to help them stay safe."