News

"Child sexual exploitation is a horrific crime and one that we must all work together to tackle.

More children with special educational needs should get the care and support they need in schools and other mainstream settings without the need for a statutory plan, say councils.

A failure to support children and young people with complex needs is driving “astronomical” care costs and not improving children’s lives, a new report for the Local Government Association finds today. 

“We are pleased government is acting on a long-standing call by the LGA for councils to have and maintain Children Not in School registers.

“This report rightly highlights the key challenges facing education and children’s social care."

The number of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receiving support from councils has reached a record high, new figures published today reveal.

"Historic underfunding and wider council pressures have left local authority early years teams less prepared to support providers with the expansion, despite concerted effort."

“No child should grow up in poverty and this report is a stark reminder of the challenges facing low-income families and other vulnerable households."

"To ensure support to all children, councils need to be given the resources and powers to manage local childcare markets.”

“Councils want to ensure that every child gets the very best education and schooling in life; and are best placed to understand the needs of their community and be able to provide for them."