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“This further funding will help councils to continue to provide much-needed support to low income households at risk of poverty and financial hardship as the Government continues its gradual easing of the coronavirus measures."

“Any incidence of sexual harassment or assault is abhorrent. No child should fear going to school, and it is right that work is being undertaken immediately to consider how schools are working to keep children safe, as well as to give children a safe place to receive support and advice.”

"Vulnerable groups unable to complete the EU Settlement Scheme may be given some flexibility and it will be important to identify well in advance those who may need support to access the scheme after the deadline."

"Councils have played a pivotal role in making the Supporting Families programme a success for some of the most vulnerable families, so it is good that local authorities continue to receive this funding to support this vital service for the coming year as it enters its next phase."

"The impacts of COVID-19 will be with us for years to come. They will show up in economic hardship, mental health issues, attainment gaps and more, and it will be up to councils, schools and their partners to support children and their families to navigate these challenges."

"The Government needs to invest in early intervention and public health services, to enable councils to work more closely with the NHS, implement best practice and most importantly help give children the best start in life.”

“The Government needs to urgently complete its positive ongoing review of the SEND system. This needs to set out reforms that increase mainstream inclusion, provide councils with long-term certainty of funding to meet immense demand for SEND support."

“The Government should work with councils and schools on education recovery and set out plans for the summer and beyond as soon as possible to help teachers and staff plan ahead to make up for lost learning due to the pandemic."

“The pandemic has had an enormous impact on children and their families, and we are keen for them to be at the centre of both local and national recovery efforts."

"We are pleased that this review draws on our earlier research and aims to consider many of our concerns around the ‘market’ for children’s social care provision and how this impacts on children."