News

Ninety children a day entered care last year with a record number of children now in the care system, councils reveal today.

Action is urgently needed to make sure children and young people detained in youth offending institutions and secure training centres are safe, council leaders say.

“Children come into care in the most difficult circumstances, and giving them the best opportunities to overcome these and get a good start in life is a major focus for councils."

“The LGA has long called for fairer funding for all schools and for councils to be able to work with schools to set budgets that reflect local need."

"It is encouraging to think that if the 14 per cent of people identified in this survey were all able to provide a loving home for a child, we would have millions of potential foster carers to look after our most vulnerable children."

“Councils have been warning that the pressures facing children’s services are rapidly becoming unsustainable, with a combination of government funding cuts and huge increases in demand leaving many areas struggling to cope."

Almost half (49 per cent) of councils across the country are at risk of being unable to meet rising demand for secondary school places within the next five years, local government leaders warn today.

“This report highlights the multiple factors that impact on children’s health and wellbeing, and demonstrates the importance of all agencies at local and national level considering how their policies and practice will impact on young people."

“We are pleased that the Government has recognised the importance of supporting the return of good experienced social workers back into the profession."

"This report rightly recognises the increased pressures facing local authorities when it comes to protecting vulnerable children."