Gaps in knowledge and a lack of strategic approach mean the Government cannot yet say whether its plans to spend a further £2 billion will address the needs of families, vulnerable adolescents and children in the most effective way.
According to a new National Audit Office report, central government has a limited understanding of how different risk factors and characteristics combine to cause vulnerability, and limited knowledge of whether the same adolescents are known to, or are receiving support from, different local services – such as children’s services, mental health and youth justice.
However, it has started to try to join up different data sets.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “This report builds on the concerns raised by councils and the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care around the need for far better join-up across government, working with councils, to support vulnerable adolescents.
“In particular, it is vital that we move away from the current system of fragmented and short-term funding pots and towards sustainable funding that allows for strategic, long-term planning and delivery of high- quality services.
“We also need government departments to work towards shared objectives to avoid local partners having to navigate complex or even competing requirements, and instead supports them to get on with providing young people with the help they need.”