Responding to the findings of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report on the instability of funding of local authorities’ children’s services, Dr Eleanor Roy, CIPFA Policy Manager Health and Social Care, said:
“Today’s report raises concerns about fulfilling the increasing demand for children’s services, as it shows local authorities drawing back on discretionary, often preventative, services that could avoid young people and families reaching crisis point in the first place.
“Local government is under consistent pressure to deliver more for less. We have seen a substantial reduction in the resources available for family support and increasing pressure on front line staff, culminating in a 16% turnover of children’s social workers in 2018.
“The funding packets provided by government simply aren’t enough to repair the breaking point children’s services are currently facing. Vital additional funding is required urgently to reduce pressures on the front line staff working to prevent dire situations for young people most in need of support.”
ENDS
For further information please contact the CIPFA press office on T: 020 7543 5787 or E: Letreis.Lawrence@cipfa.org.