NCB's growing concern about the pressures facing children's social care has been confirmed by a new report by the Local Govt Association.
NCB's growing concern about the pressures facing children's social care has been confirmed by a new report by the Local Govt Association.
Anna Feuchtwang, NCB Chief Executive said:
“Mounting cuts at a time when demand for children’s social care is increasing places intolerable strain on the system, leaving local authorities struggling to provide even an ‘emergency service’ for children and families in need.
“Stepping in early to help families is essential for turning vulnerable children’s lives around and saves money in the long run. But with support for early intervention services in long-term decline, families often only receive help when it is too late to keep a family together.
“We urge the government to reconsider its strategy for funding children’s social care and to recognise the severe consequences that year-on-year cuts are having for the children and families that rely on them.”
<<< As covered in: Independent, Children and Young People Now and Morning Star >>>
NCB recently coordinated the inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children into children’s social care. Its report ‘No Good Options’ found the system is struggling to keep pace with the rising numbers of children and families who need help, with nearly 90% of senior managers saying they find it increasingly difficult to provide children ‘in need’, including those with disabilities, families in crisis and those at risk of abuse and neglect, with the support they require.
We have also highlighted the decline in funding for early intervention, in our report 'Losing in the Long Run'.