Title

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Children's needs not prioritised, service leaders warn

Children’s services directors have raised concerns that Government policy does not prioritise children.

Children's services directors have raised concerns that Government policy does not prioritise children.

According to a paper from the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), the number of children living in destitution has risen threefold to 4.2 million since 2017.

The ADCS said the national system for children with special needs was ‘profoundly broken'.

Directors also raised concerns about difficulties navigating the ‘diffuse accountability arrangements' across the multiple Whitehall departments and agencies with responsibility for child and family policy.

ADCS president John Pearce said: "It is clear that children's needs, rights and outcomes have not been prioritised in recent years. 

'A step change is needed in how Government prioritises and invests in children, young people, their families and in public services.'

The chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people's board, Louise Gittins, described services for children and families as ‘fragmented,' and called for councils to have the powers and resources to deliver joined-up support.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

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 youngsters are being placed in settings that fail to meet their needs...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The new fire and rehire regime: what you need to know

By Anna Scott | 12 September 2025

Rebecca McGuirk and Anna Scott look at details of the Employment Rights Bill and say if there are plans to vary terms and conditions over the next few months...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

IFS: SEND review needs to offer long-term solution

By Joe Lepper | 12 September 2025

The forthcoming Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) review needs to offer a long-term solution to the ‘spiralling’ costs faced by councils, the...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Future Forum Midlands: Reorganisation should prize services over structures

By Martin Ford | 11 September 2025

Councils preparing for reorganisation have been urged to focus on delivering better services for communities rather than obsessing over structures and geogra...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames