Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
The Department recognised that continued school attendance was an important way of safeguarding and supporting...
Conclusion
The Department recognised that continued school attendance was an important way of safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children while schools were closed to most pupils. However, the proportion of children defined as in need under the Children Act 1989, or with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, who attended school or college remained below 11% from 23 March to late May, and reached a weekly average of 26% by the end of the summer term.11
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2022 2.2 The department continues to work with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and local authorities (LAs) to collect, interpret and report data on referrals to children’s social care during the pandemic. 2.3 The latest data in the Vulnerable children and young people survey suggest that overall referrals since the pandemic began remains around 10% below expected levels. The survey includes data on sources of referrals to enable tracking of referrals from partners (such as schools or police) against expected numbers. In addition, the survey includes qualitative insights into how some LAs are working differently with local partners to safeguard vulnerable children in their local area during this time. 2.4 While the department continues to interrogate the data on referrals it is already supporting LAs to ensure children are effectively safeguarded. 2.5 The Children’s Social Care recovery fund will provide up to £24 million for nine regional plans to fund proven solutions to challenges local authorities face in delivering effective children’s social care services following COVID-19. 2.6 Additionally, the department intervenes in all local authorities that are rated inadequate for children’s social care services and supports improvement in those where performance is declining.