CYP Now - DfE ‘missed out’ responses in children’s social care exemptions consultation

The Department for Education has amended the results of a consultation into the extension of children’s social care exemptions after critics raised concerns that some responses had not been included in the outcome.

Exemptions have been used more than 380 times by 80 local authorities, the government has said. Picture: Adobe Stock

A document published by DfE on 28 August revealed a handful of exemptions to children’s social care regulations introduced via the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 in April would be extended until March 2021.

The original document stated that there had been 189 responses to the three-week consultation of which the majority agreed with plans to extend exemptions.

However, it stated that "the consultation received a number of 'campaign responses', these are organised responses to influence the results of the consultation".

The number of respondents replying directly to questions on each of the DfE’s five proposals also appeared lower than the 189 respondents total.

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