Children's services 'increasingly supported by voluntary sector'
Joe Lepper
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Demand for voluntary sector organisations to provide support services for children and young people is rising as cash-strapped councils look to prioritise support for the most vulnerable, a study has found.
The Children England study, which involved surveys and interviews with around 100 London-based voluntary and community groups, found that 86 per cent had seen an increase in the number of children and families they were supporting.
The finding comes against a backdrop of councils struggling to cope with ongoing reductions in central government grants by focusing spending on acute provision and cutting back on non-statutory work, including early years support and youth services.
Evidence also emerged last month that child protection thresholds were being raised by councils as a result of ongoing financial pressures.
The study found that many voluntary and community sector groups, especially smaller organisations, are struggling to cope with the surge in demand.
Just one in 10 respondents said they were confident they could meet local safeguarding need in light of increases in demand, while around a quarter (26 per cent) thought there had been a dip in the effectiveness of multi-agency responses to safeguarding issues.
Meanwhile, only 38 per cent felt they could challenge bad practice by other agencies.
"The majority [of voluntary organisations] are confident in their own practice and their working relationships with other safeguarding agencies, said Sharon Long, director of Partnership for Young London, which helped co-ordinate the study.
"However, very few are confident they can continue to meet local need and the majority don't feel as though they can challenge other agencies when it comes to taking referrals or calling out bad practice."
The study also found that concerns around children's safety and mental health were also increasing.
Of those surveyed, 61 per cent cited an increase in child protection concerns and referrals. While just over half (53 per cent) cited an increase in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
"This study shines a spotlight on the practical realities for London's voluntary and community organisations in their vital and diverse roles in our communities, and their commitments to work collaboratively with other agencies to keep children and young people safe," said Children England chief executive Kathy Evans.
"This study is specific to London but builds a picture that resonates with what we also hear from voluntary organisations all over the country.
"Whatever stress local authority child protection arrangements are under, it's clear that the voluntary sector's role in the multi-agency system is vital in keeping children safe."