Councils have overspent on children’s social care budgets by more than £3 billion in the past five years, as unprecedented demand and funding shortages have put them under increasing pressure, the LGA has warned.
Public Health England is working with councils and other partners to modernise the Healthy Child Programme.
The Government is consulting on plans to make it illegal to put children in care aged under 16 in unregulated accommodation, amid concerns that some are being left at risk of exploitation.
The Government has written to directors of children’s services across England with new guidelines on the care system, urging councils to prioritise adoption.