ADCS
Putting it right
What does the future hold for children’s social care and what are the priorities for reform? Ann McGauran reports from a Westminster Education Forum conference.
Families under pressure
As energy and food costs soar and pandemic financial support comes to an end, Chris Mahony asks what impact the pressures on low income families will have on stretched local authorities.
Back to school?
Since schools returned to full capacity there has been focus on attendance, mental health and emotional wellbeing. But, argues Charlotte Ramsden, post-pandemic, the main concern must also be education recovery for all our children.
Unravelling the knot of education, health and care plans
Leo Jones lays out the deeper challenges that need to be recognised and addressed if the SEND review is going to tackle the complex problems behind rising numbers of education, health and care plans.
Catching up with lost learning
There is no national strategy to help children recover lost learning and promote emotional health and wellbeing, writes Charlotte Ramsden from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.
Getting back in the groove
As the country prepares to open up to gatherings again, Heather Jameson rounds up last week’s major annual virtual conferences – and finds an air of optimism within the sector despite the challenges ahead.
Ofsted chief rubbishes ‘inspection tsunami’ claim
Amanda Spielman has sought to ease concerns about a deluge of inspections as the watchdog resumes normal activity in September.
Having children's services leads at ICS partnership talks is 'critical'
It is ‘absolutely critically important’ that children’s services are at the table in discussions about partnership working within integrated care systems (ICS), says an NHS policy expert.
Children's services funding row
An investigation into children’s social care has been urged to look at funding by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
Children's minister praises 'moral leadership' of Norfolk CC on asylum seeking children
Children’s minister Vicky Ford has praised the ‘moral leadership’ of Norfolk CC in taking on significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).
Care review must be part of a long-term plan for children - ADCS
The independent review of children's social care ‘must go further and be part of a coherent and strategic long-term plan for children,’ according to the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
A step in the right direction
In the wake of Kent CC’s move to encourage a fairer share of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children among other councils, Ann McGauran talks to key figures about what needs to be done and whether the voluntary national transfer scheme can help in its new form.
Tackling the social care talent deficit
The development of the future leaders within councils, be that in children’s services or elsewhere, must start now, says Philip Emms.
We must give better support to COVID's young carers
The pandemic has led to more children and young people taking on new caring roles, and they need to be identified and offered assessment for support. Charlotte Ramsden explains.
EXCLUSIVE: High needs spending could 'bankrupt councils'
A senior finance director has warned that spending on high needs threatens to ‘bankrupt councils’ as local authorities queue up for a bail out.
Children and families need £12.5bn over three years, says new ADCS president
The growing number of children and families who need support 'to thrive, not just survive in the wake of the pandemic' will need investment of around £12.5bn over three years, says England's new children’s services chief.
A sense of hope for the future
The new president of the ADCS Charlotte Ramsden talks to Ann McGauran about her aim of making this the ‘year of resetting our ambition for children and young people in this country’.
Getting to the root of youth violence
Jenny Coles urges all parts of the public sector, including Government, to work in a co-ordinated way with the voluntary sector for a holistic public health strategy to combat violence among our youth.
Children’s services face £824m budget gap
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said the amount was required just to enable their work to ‘stay still’ amid increasing demand.
Filling in the gaps
The Government has launched an independent inquiry into children’s social care in England, amid calls for a cross-Government commission into the impact of COVID-19 on the young. What do sector experts hope could be achieved? Ann McGauran reports.
