Title

How productive is local government – and are there any savings left?
PRODUCTIVITY

How productive is local government – and are there any savings left?

By Jeremy Cooper | 15 October 2025

As the sector awaits the launch of the Local Government Outcomes Framework, how ready is local government to understand and drive productivity? There is good and bad news, says Jeremy Cooper.

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

NAO: Children's residential care market failing

By William Eichler | 12 September 2025

Residential care for looked-after children is costing councils more than ever, but many youngster...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The influence of dual perspectives in children's social care

By Craig White | 11 September 2025

Craig White looks at how dual perspectives can change thinking in children's social care

SEND

Overdiagnosis straining SEND system, think tank says

By William Eichler | 28 August 2025

A new report has warned that England’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system i...

SOCIAL CARE

Two-thirds of councils lack safeguarding policy for gender-questioning children

By William Eichler | 27 August 2025

Nearly two-thirds of councils with care responsibilities could not provide a policy on safeguardi...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Back on track for families

By Jeanette Richards | 18 August 2025

When Jeanette Richards took up her executive director of children’s services’ post at Bury Counci...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Reshaping the landscape for our children

By Andy Smith | 15 August 2025

As children’s services face a series of overlapping reforms – not least local government reorgani...

FAIR FUNDING

Fix the flawed children's funding formula

By Michael McVicker | 15 August 2025

Michael McVicker explains why the proposed children’s social care funding formula is unfit for pu...

REORGANISATION

Reorganisation plans to include social care partnerships

By Martin Ford | 04 August 2025

Councils will have to set out plans for partnership working in social care as part of reorganisat...

FINANCE

'Serious issues' over fair funding formula

By Martin Ford | 01 August 2025

A key part of the proposed Fair Funding formula must be removed due to ‘serious issues’, London C...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Putting children front and centre

By Cllr Hannah Dalton | 23 July 2025

The District Councils’ Network has joined with the Staff College to create a route map for counci...

frederica-diamanta

Corporate Director – Adults & Health

£176,061 – £196,002

Lead Change. Shape Lives. Be Part of Something New. Apply for this job

Newham London Borough Council

Assistant Director, People

£89,116 - £104,843 per annum

Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Apply for this job

Essex County Council

Executive Director (Children’s Services)

up to £137,831

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader of Children’s Services? Apply for this job

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

frederica-diamanta

Corporate Director – Adults & Health

£176,061 – £196,002

Lead Change. Shape Lives. Be Part of Something New. Apply for this job

Newham London Borough Council

Assistant Director, People

£89,116 - £104,843 per annum

Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Apply for this job

Essex County Council

Executive Director (Children’s Services)

up to £137,831

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader of Children’s Services? Apply for this job

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council