Briefings and responses

The Children’s Commissioner’s report highlights the complexity of issues facing young people and their families.

The Department for Education’s most recent figures show there were 72,670 children in care in England on 31 March 2017. Of these, 53,420 were cared for in a foster placement, including 8,830 placed with family or friends. 2,520 were placed for adoption, representing 3 per cent of all looked-after children.

Councils play a strong role in providing good school places, with 91 percent of maintained schools rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, compared with 85 per cent of academies and 84 per cent of free schools.

The LGA supports the corporate parenting principles within the Children and Social Work Act 2017, and welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft guidance on their implementation.

LGA briefing on the House of Lords debate on school places and fair funding, Thursday 16 November 2017

Councils have been calling for the Government to take tough action on sugar including reducing the amount of sugar in soft drinks and introducing teaspoon labelling on the front of products.

A national formula to ensure fairness between schools in different areas is welcome, but an element of local flexibility must be retained in the implementation of this policy.

This stocktake is a positive opportunity to review current services and make sure that the system is working as well as possible, and in particular we appreciate the constructive dialogue that the DfE has already instigated with the sector.

The High Needs National Funding Formula (NFF) proposals will be in place for at least four years, according to the Stage 2 consultation documents. Therefore, it is essential that the NFF provides a robust and equitable method of funding provision and services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and vulnerabilities.