Making a change to children’s services
Earlier this year, we announced that we’d be working with six local authorities on a series of ‘change projects’ in children’s social care.
children
Cash for nursery schools
The Government is to give an additional £24 million to councils to help them fund maintained nursery schools in 2019/20, following campaigning by the LGA.
Health visitors ‘in decline’
Children’s health visitors have seen a significant fall in numbers and investment is urgently needed to help safeguard the future of our youngest generation, the LGA has said.
Positive results for troubled families
The Troubled Families Programme has reduced juvenile convictions, the number of adults claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, and the proportion of children going into care, according to a recent national evaluation.
Children’s social care services ‘over-spent’
New analysis by the LGA has revealed that nearly nine in 10 councils spent more than they had planned to on children’s social care in the last year.
A play on placements
An award-winning board game developed by looked-after children in Sheffield is helping carers and social workers think about what makes a good home.
Young minds
Increased funding and improved crisis care were among the pledges for children and young people’s mental health services in the NHS’s recently published Long Term Plan.
‘Failures of governance’ at academies – MPs
A series of high-profile academy failures has damaged children’s education, according to a critical report from MPs.
A better start
Councils have a key role to play in ensuring the very youngest children get a good start in life.
‘180 rotten teeth ops a day’
There were more than 45,000 hospital operations to remove teeth in teenagers and children last year – equating to 180 a day, according to recent LGA analysis of NHS Digital figures.