Government 'ignoring children's social care crisis'

The Local Government Association (LGA), Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the National Children's Bureau (NCB) have all spoken out about a lack of focus on improving children's social care in the Queen's Speech, which outlines the government's legislative intentions for the next two years. 

The NCB said that while the government proposes to stage a consultation on the future of adult social care it has no plans for an equivalent for children's social care.

The charity said cash-strapped children's services are struggling to meet demand for social care and it fears that vulnerable children are missing out on support unless extra money is made available.

"We urgently need a review of how the social care needs of vulnerable children will be met, alongside the consultation of adult care announced in the Queen's Speech," NCB chief executive Anna Feuchtwang said.

"The government continues to overlook the crisis facing children's services. Demand is outstripping resource, leaving thousands of children missing out on the help they need, including children in local authority care, children who have been abused and neglected, and young people with disabilities.

"Without additional funding, social care will become an emergency service - stepping in only when children reach crisis point."

The LGA estimates children's services will face a £2bn funding gap by 2020, which it said the government needs to address.

"Local authority budgets continue to shrink whilst demand for children's social care services has more than doubled," Richard Watts, chair of the LGA's children and young people board, said. 

"In the last 10 years, we've witnessed a 140 per cent increase in child protection enquiries, and this shows little sign of abating. 

"Local government leaders are calling on the government to commit to the life chances of children and young people by acting urgently to address the £2bn funding gap.

"This gap will continue to grow unless action is taken now to reduce the number of families relying on the children's social care system for support."

Yesterday's Queen's Speech was heavily dominated by legislative plans around Brexit and did not feature a number of controversial manifesto promises.