Member News: Government must address funding crisis in children's social care, Barnardo's says

The Local Government Association says severe funding shortages and huge demand pressures mean councils were forced to overspend on their children’s social care budgets by nearly £800 million last year in order to try and keep children safe.

Barnardo's says the Government must address the crisis in children's social care.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:  

“We have long warned about a ‘perfect storm’ in children’s social care, with more youngsters needing help to cope with increasingly complex challenges, while councils are struggling to find the money they need to help the most vulnerable families.

"Today’s alarming analysis by the Local Government Association shows the lengths councils are having to go to in order to be able to provide the help families need.

“The Government must urgently address the funding challenges councils face, so all children can get help early in every community. 

“But it’s not simply a question of money. The system must change too. This is why we are taking a radical new approach to delivery - working with national and local partners to co-design and deliver services, investing our own resource, and focusing on how we can change children’s lives, and the system around them, for the better.”

Source: 
www.barnardos.org.uk

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