Former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield has warned exclusions are likely to rise next month when schools reopen, which could lead to more children being exploited by county lines gangs.
She also spoke of her concern that the state has lost track of tens of thousands of children who had fallen ‘off grid’ during the pandemic. She said she believed such youngsters were more at risk of being recruited by criminals.
Want full article access?
Receive The MJ magazine each week and gain access to all the content on this website with a subscription.
Full website content includes additional, exclusive commentary and analysis on the issues affecting local government.
Already a subscriber? Login