Growing pressures in children’s social care and SEND services must be addressed immediately: ADCS on manifesto pledges
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has warned that growing pressures in children’s social care and SEND services must be addressed “immediately” by any new government, following the publication of manifestos by major political parties this week.
The ADCS observed a “welcome focus” on tackling childhood disadvantage seen in some of the pledges put forward, but highlighted the need to address “growing pressures” in children’s social care and SEND services, as well as the need to support children’s health and wellbeing, particularly their mental health.
The Association called for a long-term plan for childhood to invest in children’s futures and to close the funding gap in children’s services – noting that children have not been treated as a political priority for “too long”.
Rachael Wardell, ADCS Vice President said: “All major political parties have now published their manifestos ahead of the forthcoming general election with a number of common themes emerging such as recruiting more teachers and increasing the number of childcare places available. There is also a welcome focus on tackling childhood disadvantage seen in some of the pledges put forward and ADCS looks forward to working with the next government to ensure they deliver on these promises. However, first and foremost we need any new government to put in place a long-term plan for childhood to invest in children’s futures and to close the funding gap in children’s services so that services can meet children’s and families’ needs. Children do not have the opportunity to vote and for too long have not been treated as a political priority. Now is the time to put their needs front and centre by prioritising and investing in children, young people, their families and in the public services that support them.
“There are a number of areas in the system that must be addressed immediately, such as growing pressures in children’s social care and SEND services as well as the need to support children’s health and wellbeing, particularly their mental health. In order to tackle these issues and improve children’s lives, we need all government departments to work together so that children and families are at the heart of all policy decisions.”
Key policy pledges made in the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party manifestos affecting the sector have been covered by Local Government Lawyer.
The Labour party pledged to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, “so every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate.”
The Liberal Democrats meanwhile said they would tackle the crisis in special educational needs provision and help to end the “postcode lottery” in provision, by giving local authorities extra funding to reduce the amount that schools pay towards the cost of a child’s Education, Health and Care Plan, and establishing a new National Body for SEND to fund support for children with very high needs.
Lottie Winson
