Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
Children’s social care problems persist and worsen without comprehensive reform following the Independent Review.
Conclusion
Evidence given to the Committee during our inquiry indicates that many of the problems highlighted by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in 2022 persist, and in a significant number of cases have worsened since the Review. Increases in need coupled with stretched budgets and a lack of serious attention to reform have resulted in a system characterised by spiralling costs to local authorities and poor experiences and outcomes for children. The “once in a generation” opportunity provided by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care has not been realised, with the Department for Education focusing on small-scale pilot projects in specific areas rather than comprehensive reform. (Conclusion, Paragraph 8)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's findings on the rising need, costs, and poor outcomes in children's social care. It states it is taking urgent action through substantial investment, new legislation, and the Families First Partnership Programme.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Committee’s report rightly highlighted the rising need for children’s social care over the last decade, the spiralling costs to local authorities and poor experiences and outcomes for some, but not all, children. The Government is taking urgent action, including through substantial investment, new legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the transformation of services through the Families First Partnership Programme.