Publications

As local leaders and community representatives, councillors have responsibilities to help protect children in their area. Being aware of the signs of child exploitation, understanding what to do if you have concerns and knowing what questions to be asking of local services is key. This resources pack explores this, and showcases innovative work going on around the country to prevent child exploitation.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a terrible crime with destructive and far reaching consequences for victims, their families, and society. It is not limited to any particular geography, ethnic or social background, and all councils should assume that CSE is happening in their area and take proactive action to prevent it.

Large numbers of young children have teeth extracted under general anaesthesia in hospital because of dental decay.

The council role in school place planning: Making sure there are enough school places locally' looks at some of the measures taken by councils to meet the recent surge in demand for school places and gives a five-point plan which the LGA believes is necessary to ensure councils have the funding and power to create the further new places needed.   

Following the death of Baby Peter Connelly in August 2007, the government took steps to review the effectiveness of arrangements for safeguarding children in England, which led to the publication of the Laming Review in March 2009.

The LGA commissioned Coram to develop a series of six case studies exploring various elements of family hubs delivery across some councils in England.

Councils only want the best for the children and young people in their communities, but many children struggle to cope with the challenges they experience. Facing continuous family violence and without recourse to adequate help when they need it, we know that some young people go on to be involved in the youth justice system.

Examples of how local councils support people with autistic spectrum conditions

In March 2015 the LGA wrote to local authorities (LAs) inviting them to complete an online self-assessment about their plans to prepare for the transfer of commissioning responsibilities for 0-5 year olds from NHS England to local government on 1 October 2015.

As lead member you hold political responsibility for the leadership, strategy and effectiveness of council children’s services and will work closely with the director of children’s services (DCS) who carries the professional accountability.