3rd Report - A response to the children’s social care implementation strategy

The government's response

What the committee recommended 31

1. 1
   The Strategy contains much of what will be needed to address problems in children’s social... Conclusion · paragraph 8
2. 2
   The Strategy does not represent the radical reset the children’s care system needs. Conclusion · paragraph 15
3. 3
   We recognise it is not possible to roll-out all reforms, everywhere, immediately. Recommendation · paragraph 16
4. 4
   The successful implementation of the Strategy will require substantial cross-departmental cooperation and political buy-in. Conclusion · paragraph 17
5. 5
   An interim update on the outcomes of key discussions between the Department for Education and... Conclusion

See all 31 recommendations and conclusions

Sources

• 3rd Report - A response to the children’s social care implementation strategy ↗The committee's report, parliament.uk
• Government response to Public Services Committee, 3rd report of Session 2022-23: A response to the Children's social care implementation strategy ↗The government's response, 25 July 2023, parliament.uk

Recommendations and conclusions 31

1. 1
   The Strategy contains much of what will be needed to address problems in children’s social... Conclusion · paragraph 8 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   The Strategy contains much of what will be needed to address problems in children’s social care. The focus on “stable homes, built on love”, is the right approach. It is a solid starting point from which to make real progress for vulnerable children and their families.
2. 2
   The Strategy does not represent the radical reset the children’s care system needs. Conclusion · paragraph 15 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   The Strategy does not represent the radical reset the children’s care system needs. By design, the majority will see little benefit for several years. This represents a wasted opportunity.
3. 3
   We recognise it is not possible to roll-out all reforms, everywhere, immediately. Recommendation · paragraph 16 Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recognise it is not possible to roll-out all reforms, everywhere, immediately. However, the Government should ensure that all children’s care services see some benefits , soon.
4. 4
   The successful implementation of the Strategy will require substantial cross-departmental cooperation and political buy-in. Conclusion · paragraph 17 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   The successful implementation of the Strategy will require substantial cross-departmental cooperation and political buy-in. The Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit should have responsibility for driving implementation and coordination between Departments. Further review and consultation should be minimised.
5. 5
   An interim update on the outcomes of key discussions between the Department for Education and... Conclusion Conclusion (the committee's words)

   An interim update on the outcomes of key discussions between the Department for Education and other Government departments should be provided in the form of a Ministerial Statement to the House ahead of the 2023 summer recess. A full update, including departmental commitments and action plans, should be provided in the same form by October
6. 6
   We consider that the Strategy’s focus on stable, loving homes ignores the need for radical... Conclusion · paragraph 24 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   We consider that the Strategy’s focus on stable, loving homes ignores the need for radical reform of residential homes. There are likely to always be some children who need this kind of provision for at least some of the time. Not enough has been done for these young people in the Strategy: action needs to be taken to raise standards.
7. 7
   The level of investment outlined in the Strategy is entirely inadequate and will ensure the... Conclusion · paragraph 28 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   The level of investment outlined in the Strategy is entirely inadequate and will ensure the Government will fail to achieve its vision for children’s social care.
8. 8
   We consider many of the references throughout the Strategy to the voices of children and... Conclusion · paragraph 35 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   We consider many of the references throughout the Strategy to the voices of children and young people to be vague and ineffective.
9. 9
   Throughout the inquiry it became abundantly clear that the voices of young people are often... Conclusion · paragraph 38 Conclusion (the committee's words)

   Throughout the inquiry it became abundantly clear that the voices of young people are often not heard when decisions are made about their care.
10. 10
    We welcome the commitment to develop an independent, opt-out advocacy service. Conclusion · paragraph 41 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    We welcome the commitment to develop an independent, opt-out advocacy service. It will go a long way to ensure that the best interests of young people are protected.
11. 11
    Changes to advocacy services must ensure full independence from the local authorities they will need... Conclusion · paragraph 42 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Changes to advocacy services must ensure full independence from the local authorities they will need to hold to account. The Department for Education should look again at how to ensure advocacy services can be fully independent: organising them as regional or national delivery programmes.
12. 12
    The Strategy’s approach to ‘Family Help’ represents a step in the right direction. Conclusion · paragraph 52 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The Strategy’s approach to ‘Family Help’ represents a step in the right direction. However, the decision to trial Family Help in a small number of areas will delay crucial, well-evidenced reforms to the care system, meaning more children will be left behind.
13. 13
    The Government should urgently examine which elements of Family Help could be rolled out nationally... Recommendation · paragraph 53 Recommendation (the committee's words)

    The Government should urgently examine which elements of Family Help could be rolled out nationally and provide funding to all local authorities delivering children’s social care to introduce these policies, to ensure children and families across England feel some benefit from the strategy. Funding for local authorities to make these changes should be provided at the same time as they are introduced .
14. 14
    The existing learning from Family Hubs and the services they deliver should form an important... Conclusion · paragraph 57 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The existing learning from Family Hubs and the services they deliver should form an important part of the Implementation Strategy. The Department should set clear expectations for how Family Help and Family Hub services should work closely together to provide seamless transitions between early help and universal services.
15. 15
    We welcome the increased emphasis on kinship care and the proportionate approach suggested for assessment... Recommendation · paragraph 63 Recommendation (the committee's words)

    We welcome the increased emphasis on kinship care and the proportionate approach suggested for assessment of suitability. We urge the Department for Education not to lose sight of the need to ensure that young people will be safe with the new carer. Ongoing monitoring may also be required.
16. 16
    The Kinship Care Strategy, when published, should ensure that sufficient financial support for those caring... Conclusion · paragraph 72 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The Kinship Care Strategy, when published, should ensure that sufficient financial support for those caring for their kin is provided regardless of whether the arrangement is formal or informal, and that it is consistent across England. Additional funding should be allocated to local authorities to provide this support in the immediate future.
17. 17
    Legal definitions of ‘kinship care’ and ‘kinship carer’ should be set out in primary legislation... Recommendation · paragraph 73 Recommendation (the committee's words)

    Legal definitions of ‘kinship care’ and ‘kinship carer’ should be set out in primary legislation so that children and families in informal kinship care arrangements can access support.
18. 18
    Current foster care recruitment programmes are not delivering the number of foster care placements needed,... Conclusion · paragraph 82 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Current foster care recruitment programmes are not delivering the number of foster care placements needed, and in some cases are failing adequately to ensure the safety of children in foster care.
19. 19
    The Department for Education should provide further detail on its plans to increase foster care... Conclusion · paragraph 83 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The Department for Education should provide further detail on its plans to increase foster care recruitment. These must be proportionate in ensuring that only those who are fit and proper to be caring for a young person are allowed to do so, whilst also allowing foster caring to be accessible to working people.
20. 20
    The aim to boost the number of foster carers in England is undermined by the... Conclusion · paragraph 86 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The aim to boost the number of foster carers in England is undermined by the failure to include targets or metrics in the Strategy.
21. 21
    The Department for Education should urgently set regional and national targets for foster carer recruitment... Conclusion · paragraph 87 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The Department for Education should urgently set regional and national targets for foster carer recruitment and retention. These should include targets for specialist carers.
22. 22
    Recruitment and retention campaigns must come alongside improvements in training and support for foster carers,... Conclusion · paragraph 90 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Recruitment and retention campaigns must come alongside improvements in training and support for foster carers, to ensure they can provide safe , loving homes for young people in care .
23. 23
    The success of the Strategy will rely heavily on the children’s social care workforce. Conclusion · paragraph 96 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The success of the Strategy will rely heavily on the children’s social care workforce. There is not enough in the Strategy on recruiting additional staff to support those already performing demanding roles in difficult circumstances. Without more ambitious recruitment targets, the objectives of the Government’s reforms will not be achieved.
24. 24
    Steps to maximise the amount of time staff spend directly supporting families are welcome. Conclusion · paragraph 102 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Steps to maximise the amount of time staff spend directly supporting families are welcome. However, most children’s care staff will not see the benefits of these interventions in the short term.
25. 25
    The Government should roll out workforce interventions nationally more rapidly. Recommendation · paragraph 103 Recommendation (the committee's words)

    The Government should roll out workforce interventions nationally more rapidly. While not all interventions can be applied to England at once, steps should be taken by October 2023 to ensure all children’s social workers see some benefit from the Strategy.
26. 26
    Built into the evaluation plan for Regional Care Cooperatives should be an assessment of any... Conclusion · paragraph 112 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Built into the evaluation plan for Regional Care Cooperatives should be an assessment of any improvement in planning and forecasting. This should distinguish between the causes for any such improvement: whether they arise from national support for forecasting; or whether they arise from collaboration between local authorities.
27. 27
    In evaluating the success of the Regional Care Cooperatives the Government must consider the experiences... Recommendation · paragraph 117 Recommendation (the committee's words)

    In evaluating the success of the Regional Care Cooperatives the Government must consider the experiences and voices of young people and families, alongside measuring how many are placed at a distance from their homes and communities.
28. 28
    The Strategy argues that regional planning and delivery will ensure a greater number of care... Conclusion · paragraph 125 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The Strategy argues that regional planning and delivery will ensure a greater number of care placements. We are unconvinced by this argument: the scheme does not empower local authorities, nor will it increase the number of care placements or related resources. A sound argument for this approach has not yet been made. Alternative approaches should be explored.
29. 29
    When trialling Regional Care Cooperatives, the Department for Education must review the impact of regional... Conclusion · paragraph 126 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    When trialling Regional Care Cooperatives, the Department for Education must review the impact of regional procurement on smaller providers. Steps should be taken to ensure that a regional approach to procurement does not result in large providers wielding disproportionate influence.
30. 30
    Evaluation of the Regional Care Cooperatives Pathfinder should include the number of additional care placements... Conclusion · paragraph 127 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    Evaluation of the Regional Care Cooperatives Pathfinder should include the number of additional care placements delivered or procured compared with past performance and other regions.
31. 31
    The introduction of Regional Care Cooperatives must not result in weaker accountability and oversight. Conclusion · paragraph 130 Conclusion (the committee's words)

    The introduction of Regional Care Cooperatives must not result in weaker accountability and oversight. If the Government chooses to proceed with the rollout of Regional Care Cooperatives , this must come alongside a strong accountability regime, about which further information should be provided.