Independent Review of Children’s Social Care: CCN response

CCN Latest News, CCN News 2022 | 23 May 2022

Today the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care has published its final report, setting out a series of recommendations to government on how to reform the system.

The review, led by Josh MacAlister, builds on a number of key recommendations set out by the County Councils Network (CCN) in a report earlier this year. The report backs CCN’s calls for more of a preventative focus for services, and for local authorities to lead on delivering children’s services and on driving through reform.

Mr MacAlister addressed CCN Conference 2021 which you can watch here.

Cllr Keith Glazier, Children’s Services Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:

“Today’s landmark report on what is required to reform children’s social care incorporates many of the recommendations the County Councils Network put forward earlier this year. We warned that the number of children going into care could reach 100,000 by 2025 if nothing changes, and we are pleased that today’s report recognises the role of prevention and the need to keep young people with their families wherever possible.

“Today’s report is also clear that councils are best placed to lead on the changes identified, building on the foundations already in place but bolstering them with national support, including an adequate level of funding for these vital services, particularly reinvestment in prevention, and a renewed drive for more foster carers.

“Reform will only be possible with sustainable funding, with councils regularly overspending on their children’s services budgets each year to meet the statutory demands on the system. We will be examining today’s report in detail, and we urge the government to take on board these report’s key recommendations, particularly the financial and system change proposals put forward, and work with local authorities to implement them as soon as possible to improve the lives of vulnerable young people.”