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The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.

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Mother lifting her child into the air

SEND review needs to tackle huge rise in tribunal hearings – LGA

“It is vital the Government’s SEND review urgently tackles the increasingly adversarial nature of the SEND system since the 2014 reforms and minimises the need for legal disputes and tribunal hearings, providing the support that every young person and their family needs."

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LGA responds to CMA report on children's social care market

“We urge the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care to consider these recommendations in their final report and are keen to work with the Government to ensure that children can live in the homes that best suit their needs and where they can thrive.”

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Youth services funding reduction could pay for over 1,000 youth workers – LGA

More than 1,000 youth and community support workers could be recruited using money removed from a flagship government fund for youth services, according to new analysis by the Local Government Association.

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Surge in children with mental health problems seen by councils during pandemic

The number of children with mental health problems seen by social workers has surged by a quarter since before the coronavirus pandemic, amounting to nearly 1,500 kids presenting to councils every week.

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Child being homeschooled

Introduction of register of children not in school – LGA statement

We have long called for a register for all home educators to ensure that children are receiving a suitable education in a safe environment."

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Children in a primary school classroom

Education Investment Areas – LGA responds to Levelling-Up White Paper announcement

"We fully support the investment targeted at ‘cold spot’ areas, to help provide the schooling every child deserves. However, the pandemic has hit the educational attainment of all pupils hard, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, and the impact of this will be felt for years to come."

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LGA responds to Commission on Young Lives ‘Out of Harms Way’ report

Responding to the Commission on Young Lives report into children’s social care, suggesting it is potentially unfit for purpose, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Keeping children and young people safe is one of the most important roles that councils have. However, a huge increase in demand at a time when council budgets have been significantly reduced is making it increasingly difficult to carry out this role effectively for all children. Despite increasing children’s social care budgets by over £1 billion over the

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LGA responds to Children's Society survey on county lines

“Councils’ youth offending teams have an exceptional record of reducing youth crime and making a real difference to young people’s lives, but they are under huge pressure after seeing their government funding halved over the last decade."

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LGA responds to NAO report on school funding

“Councils face significant financial challenges to deliver much-needed SEND support to all those who need it and to meet rising demand, reporting a spending deficit of £675 million last year."

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LGA responds to ‘Children in crisis’ report

"Councils want to work with government on a child-centred, cross-government pandemic recovery plan which offers the very best future for children and families."

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