Councils and charities on frontline of virus fight

As the health and social care system enters a period of pressure unprecedented in modern times, there are growing concerns about the ability of already stretched and cash-strapped councils and children’s charities to meetthe expected rise in demand for support from disadvantaged families (see Analysis).

At this stage, the extent of the challenge posed by coronavirus remains unclear. But if we follow the path of other countries further ahead on the outbreak curve, it looks like this crisis will threaten the very fabric of the children’s social care and welfare system.

Children’s services departments face the prospect of significant chunks of the workforce being off sick at the same time. If that happens, emergency legislation has paved the way for councils to temporarily drop some social care duties and prioritise those most at risk, while sector bodies are trying to bring lapsed and trainee social workers in as a form of reserve workforce. While welcome, these measures are unlikely to be sufficient to deal with the large influx of vulnerable children and families campaigners are warning could arise as a result of economic hardship and social isolation pressures.

Looked-after children’s services are particularly vulnerable: many foster and kinship carers are retirees, a group at most risk of developing severe symptoms, while residential care providers are warning that homes may need to beclosed if staff numbers drop. What happens to the children they care for if there’s a shortage of alternative placements? Faced with such worrying possibilities, the voluntary sector has neverbeen more needed to supplement and support the work of children’s services. Yet analysis by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations shows the voluntary sector is set to lose £4bn in income over the next 12 weeks, with think-tank NPC warning this could see many charities close provision for vulnerable groups or collapse altogether.

In delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge to “do whatever it takes to get the country through this”, Children England has called on the government to guarantee councils and thevoluntary sector get the funds they need to support all vulnerable families during the crisis. The PM needs to listen and act urgently. In the Commons, he said a “package of measures to supportthe voluntary sector” is being looked at. This should involve the government underwriting thelosses charities will incur over the coming months and giving councils the funds to paythird sector organisations in advance for delivering vital provision. Without such intervention, the system will struggle to cope, and many vulnerable children and families will suffer.

To all our readers, stay well and keep up your fantastic work.

Derren Hayes is editor of Children & Young People Now

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