Children’s services and SEND

Children’s services and SEND

Our work includes influential research on the challenges in delivering SEND services alongside long-running studies on the issues within children's social care.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has rocketed up the political discourse and our research has been influential in highlighting the challenges counties have faced, and the impact on home to school transport. Children’s services is also a major local authority service and our work down the years has made a clear case for reform, advocated for a return to preventative care, and outlined market pressures faced by councils.

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Jonathan Rallings
Jonathan Rallings
Senior Policy Advisor
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Education
SEND
Children’s services and SEND
Commissioned Reports
SEND reform: The view from local government on impact and implementation

This report is a brand-new analysis of the government's reforms to SEND services, drawing on feedback from a survey of councils and several workshops.

Publication
5
June
2026
June 5, 2026
SEND reform: The view from local government on impact and implementation
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
Consultations and Submissions
SEND reform: putting children and young people first: consultation response

We respond to the government's consultation on its planned SEND reforms in this document.

Publication
5
June
2026
June 5, 2026
SEND reform: putting children and young people first: consultation response
Buses
SEND
Home To School Transport
Children’s services and SEND
Briefings
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Home To School Transport

This edition of our Policy Essentials series focuses on home to school transport, aiming to give councillors an overview of the key issues.

Publication
21
May
2026
May 21, 2026
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Home To School Transport
SEND
Children’s services and SEND
Briefings
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

This edition of our Policy Essentials series focuses on SEND services, aiming to give councillors an overview of the key issues.

Publication
21
May
2026
May 21, 2026
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Children's Services
Children's Homes
Children’s services and SEND
Briefings
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Children's Services

This edition of our Policy Essentials series focuses on children's services, aiming to give councillors an overview of the key issues.

Publication
21
May
2026
May 21, 2026
CCN Policy Essentials 2026: Children's Services
Education
SEND
Children’s services and SEND
Sector Support
CCN Dialogues - Free School Meals

This latest instalment in CCN's Dialogues series explores upcoming changes in the free school meals system.

Publication
26
March
2026
March 26, 2026
CCN Dialogues - Free School Meals
Education
SEND
Home To School Transport
Buses
Children’s services and SEND
Research Reports
Home to School Transport: How SEND Reform Can Make Services More Sustainable

This analysis report analyses the challenges in delivering home to school transport services, and sets out the implications of inaction in reforming the SEND system.

Publication
19
February
2026
February 19, 2026
Home to School Transport: How SEND Reform Can Make Services More Sustainable
Children's Services
Education
SEND
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
Research Reports
CCN Policy in Focus: Children's Mental Health

This bespoke Policy in Focus document explores children's mental health and how this impacts on several county-based services.

Publication
9
February
2026
February 9, 2026
CCN Policy in Focus: Children's Mental Health
SEND
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND reforms can improve children’s outcomes but existing system remains ‘vulnerable’ – new report

New report represents local government's first 'stock take' on government SEND reforms

News
05
June
2026
June 5, 2026
SEND reforms can improve children’s outcomes but existing system remains ‘vulnerable’ – new report
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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New report explores the free school meals system and highlights forthcoming changes

News
24
March
2026
March 24, 2026
New report explores the free school meals system and highlights forthcoming changes
SEND
Home To School Transport
Transport and Infrastructure
Transformation
Children’s services and SEND
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Public Accounts Committee report on home to school transport: CCN responds

News
06
March
2026
March 6, 2026
Public Accounts Committee report on home to school transport: CCN responds
SEND
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Government unveils plans to reform the SEND system: CCN response

News
23
February
2026
February 23, 2026
Government unveils plans to reform the SEND system: CCN response
SEND
Youth Services
Home To School Transport
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Schools White Paper cannot ignore looming £3.4bn SEND transport bill, councils warn

News
19
February
2026
February 19, 2026
Schools White Paper cannot ignore looming £3.4bn SEND transport bill, councils warn
SEND
Education
Workforce
Children’s services and SEND
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Government commits to paying 90% of councils' SEND deficits

News
09
February
2026
February 9, 2026
Government commits to paying 90% of councils' SEND deficits
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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IFS report on SEND and education spend: CCN responds

News
21
January
2026
January 21, 2026
IFS report on SEND and education spend: CCN responds
Transformation
Children's Services
Children's Homes
Children’s services and SEND
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Public Accounts Committee report on children's residential care: CCN responds

News
16
January
2026
January 16, 2026
Public Accounts Committee report on children's residential care: CCN responds
Finance
SEND
UK Budgets
Children’s services and SEND
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Budget 2025: CCN responds

News
26
November
2025
November 26, 2025
Budget 2025: CCN responds
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils warn SEND system faces total collapse without major reform to services

News
14
November
2025
November 14, 2025
Councils warn SEND system faces total collapse without major reform to services
SEND
Home To School Transport
UK Budgets
Transport and Infrastructure
Buses
Children’s services and SEND
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National Audit Office report on home to school transport: CCN responds

News
31
October
2025
October 31, 2025
National Audit Office report on home to school transport: CCN responds
SEND
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Government to delay SEND reforms: CCN response

News
22
October
2025
October 22, 2025
Government to delay SEND reforms: CCN response
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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IFS research on 'dramatic and ongoing' SEND costs: CCN responds

News
03
October
2025
October 3, 2025
IFS research on 'dramatic and ongoing' SEND costs: CCN responds
Adult Social Care
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Education Committee report on children's social care: CCN responds

News
10
July
2025
July 10, 2025
Education Committee report on children's social care: CCN responds
SEND
Youth Services
Transformation
Digital
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND system in ‘desperate need of reform’: hundreds of young people a day approached their council for support last year

News
26
June
2025
June 26, 2025
SEND system in ‘desperate need of reform’: hundreds of young people a day approached their council for support last year
SEND
UK Budgets
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND deficits: government avoids ‘financial cliff edge’ for councils but a comprehensive solution is now critical

News
20
June
2025
June 20, 2025
SEND deficits: government avoids ‘financial cliff edge’ for councils but a comprehensive solution is now critical
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils warn of financial catastrophe in 12 months time, with ‘unmanageable’ SEND deficits risking bankruptcy

News
21
March
2025
March 21, 2025
Councils warn of financial catastrophe in 12 months time, with ‘unmanageable’ SEND deficits risking bankruptcy
SEND
Transformation
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Public Accounts Committee report on SEND: CCN responds

News
15
January
2025
January 15, 2025
Public Accounts Committee report on SEND: CCN responds
SEND
UK Budgets
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Funding announced for more SEND places in mainstream schools: CCN responds

News
04
December
2024
December 4, 2024
Funding announced for more SEND places in mainstream schools: CCN responds
Home To School Transport
Transport and Infrastructure
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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New report spotlights the school transport challenge, and sets out how councils can improve services ahead of national reforms

News
21
November
2024
November 21, 2024
New report spotlights the school transport challenge, and sets out how councils can improve services ahead of national reforms
Children's Services
Children's Homes
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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CCN welcomes proposed reforms to children's social care

News
18
November
2024
November 18, 2024
CCN welcomes proposed reforms to children's social care
Youth Services
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Latest looked after children government data: CCN responds

News
14
November
2024
November 14, 2024
Latest looked after children government data: CCN responds
Culture and Communities
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Thousands of young people were placed in council care more than 20 miles away from their home last year due to a lack of available alternatives

News
13
November
2024
November 13, 2024
Thousands of young people were placed in council care more than 20 miles away from their home last year due to a lack of available alternatives
SEND
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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National Audit Office report on the SEND system: CCN responds

News
24
October
2024
October 24, 2024
National Audit Office report on the SEND system: CCN responds
SEND
UK Budgets
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND deficits risk bankrupting almost three quarters of England’s largest councils by 2027, with government urged to take action

News
21
October
2024
October 21, 2024
SEND deficits risk bankrupting almost three quarters of England’s largest councils by 2027, with government urged to take action
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over the last decade despite costs of these services trebling, new independent report reveals

News
25
July
2024
July 25, 2024
Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over the last decade despite costs of these services trebling, new independent report reveals
SEND
Home To School Transport
Buses
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils call for reform of SEND school transport services, as costs double for local authorities in county areas over the last five years

News
27
March
2024
March 27, 2024
Councils call for reform of SEND school transport services, as costs double for local authorities in county areas over the last five years
Adult Social Care
Children's Services
Transformation
Digital
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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New report sets out how using data on needs and cost could improve young people's lives and outcomes

News
07
December
2023
December 7, 2023
New report sets out how using data on needs and cost could improve young people's lives and outcomes
Finance
SEND
UK Budgets
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Autumn Statement: CCN responds

News
22
November
2023
November 22, 2023
Autumn Statement: CCN responds
SEND
Home To School Transport
UK Budgets
Leisure Services
Transport and Infrastructure
Children’s services and SEND
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Spiralling SEND transport budgets threaten financial sustainability of England’s largest councils, report reveals

News
18
November
2023
November 18, 2023
Spiralling SEND transport budgets threaten financial sustainability of England’s largest councils, report reveals
Finance
UK Budgets
Transport and Infrastructure
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils warn they are ‘running out of road’ to prevent financial insolvency, as in-year overspends top £600m

News
01
November
2023
November 1, 2023
Councils warn they are ‘running out of road’ to prevent financial insolvency, as in-year overspends top £600m
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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New report lauds Virtual Schools as education’s hidden asset – and calls for a review to help them work even more effectively

News
15
August
2023
August 15, 2023
New report lauds Virtual Schools as education’s hidden asset – and calls for a review to help them work even more effectively
Housing
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Costs of new inspection regime for children in care could be nine times higher than government funding, report warns

News
21
July
2023
July 21, 2023
Costs of new inspection regime for children in care could be nine times higher than government funding, report warns
Finance
UK Budgets
Health
Children's Services
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils face surge in young people coming into care as new report shows how local authorities are managing demand

News
06
July
2023
July 6, 2023
Councils face surge in young people coming into care as new report shows how local authorities are managing demand
SEND
Transformation
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Over 180 children a day approach councils for special needs support as local authorities warn that government reforms will not stem the tide

News
21
June
2023
June 21, 2023
Over 180 children a day approach councils for special needs support as local authorities warn that government reforms will not stem the tide
SEND
Adult Social Care
Environment
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND Improvement Plan unveiled: CCN responds

News
02
March
2023
March 2, 2023
SEND Improvement Plan unveiled: CCN responds
Transformation
Adult Social Care
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Government reforms for children's social care put forward: CCN response

News
02
February
2023
February 2, 2023
Government reforms for children's social care put forward: CCN response
Transformation
Adult Social Care
Youth Services
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Local authorities warn that councils and young people ‘cannot afford to keep waiting’ for children's services reform

News
28
October
2022
October 28, 2022
Local authorities warn that councils and young people ‘cannot afford to keep waiting’ for children's services reform
Culture and Communities
Skills and Employment
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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English UK Blog: Supporting Ukrainians and refugees to get the English skills they need

Blog
12
October
2022
October 12, 2022
English UK Blog: Supporting Ukrainians and refugees to get the English skills they need
SEND
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Local authorities warn the government’s special educational needs reforms will not address councils’ £2.4bn deficit

News
29
July
2022
July 29, 2022
Local authorities warn the government’s special educational needs reforms will not address councils’ £2.4bn deficit
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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England's counties see elderly population ‘boom’ over the last decade, with over 1 million more over 65s living in those areas

News
15
July
2022
July 15, 2022
England's counties see elderly population ‘boom’ over the last decade, with over 1 million more over 65s living in those areas
SEND
Digital
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Local Government Association research on SEND demand: CCN response

News
29
June
2022
June 29, 2022
Local Government Association research on SEND demand: CCN response
Transformation
Adult Social Care
Children’s services and SEND
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Independent Review of Children's Social Care: CCN response

News
23
May
2022
May 23, 2022
Independent Review of Children's Social Care: CCN response
SEND
Adult Social Care
Environment
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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SEND Green Paper: CCN response

News
29
March
2022
March 29, 2022
SEND Green Paper: CCN response
Adult Social Care
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Watch: CCN launches major new report on children's services at webinar

News
10
March
2022
March 10, 2022
Watch: CCN launches major new report on children's services at webinar
Finance
Adult Social Care
Youth Services
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Report sets out new blueprint for councils to deliver a reshaped children's services

News
09
March
2022
March 9, 2022
Report sets out new blueprint for councils to deliver a reshaped children's services
Devolution
Adult Social Care
Economic Growth
Children’s services and SEND
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Watch all the sessions from CCN Conference 2021

News
24
November
2021
November 24, 2021
Watch all the sessions from CCN Conference 2021
Transformation
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Number of children in care could reach almost 100,000 by 2025 – as county leaders call for an ‘unrelenting’ focus on keeping families together

News
22
November
2021
November 22, 2021
Number of children in care could reach almost 100,000 by 2025 – as county leaders call for an ‘unrelenting’ focus on keeping families together
SEND
UK Budgets
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils call for urgent action in Spending Review to address £1.3bn special educational needs deficit

News
30
June
2021
June 30, 2021
Councils call for urgent action in Spending Review to address £1.3bn special educational needs deficit
Health
Public Health
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Over 600 vulnerable young people a day referred to councils after lockdown, with an increase in demand for family support during the pandemic

News
24
November
2020
November 24, 2020
Over 600 vulnerable young people a day referred to councils after lockdown, with an increase in demand for family support during the pandemic
Finance
Children’s services and SEND
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County Councils Network response to government announcement of new winter package for children and families

News
08
November
2020
November 8, 2020
County Councils Network response to government announcement of new winter package for children and families
Health
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Rural and remote areas most at risk of being impacted by childcare closures, councils warn

News
25
September
2020
September 25, 2020
Rural and remote areas most at risk of being impacted by childcare closures, councils warn
Health
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils fear a rise in vulnerable children needing support due to the lockdown

News
22
May
2020
May 22, 2020
Councils fear a rise in vulnerable children needing support due to the lockdown
SEND
Home To School Transport
Education
Transport and Infrastructure
Leisure Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Home to school transport funding issues revealed in new report

News
02
November
2019
November 2, 2019
Home to school transport funding issues revealed in new report
SEND
Transformation
Education
Youth Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Peopletoo Blog: SEND – Managing the Rising Demand

Blog
17
September
2019
September 17, 2019
Peopletoo Blog: SEND – Managing the Rising Demand
SEND
UK Budgets
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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National Audit Office report on SEN: CCN response

News
11
September
2019
September 11, 2019
National Audit Office report on SEN: CCN response
SEND
UK Budgets
Adult Social Care
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Spending Round confirms new funding for councils: CCN response

News
04
September
2019
September 4, 2019
Spending Round confirms new funding for councils: CCN response
SEND
Finance
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Education funding announcement: CCN responds

News
30
August
2019
August 30, 2019
Education funding announcement: CCN responds
SEND
UK Budgets
Children's Services
Transformation
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Costs of special educational needs services could ‘break’ council budgets, local authorities warn

News
19
July
2019
July 19, 2019
Costs of special educational needs services could ‘break’ council budgets, local authorities warn
Housing
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Download CCN's submission to the HCLG Committee's children's services inquiry

News
01
May
2019
May 1, 2019
Download CCN's submission to the HCLG Committee's children's services inquiry
Technology
Adult Social Care
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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New CCN and Grant Thornton report on social care launched today

News
27
March
2019
March 27, 2019
New CCN and Grant Thornton report on social care launched today
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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NAO report on children's services pressures: CCN response

News
23
January
2019
January 23, 2019
NAO report on children's services pressures: CCN response
SEND
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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New £250m high needs funding announcement: CCN response

News
16
December
2018
December 16, 2018
New £250m high needs funding announcement: CCN response
SEND
Adult Social Care
Home To School Transport
Leisure Services
Transport and Infrastructure
Children’s services and SEND
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CCN in the media: Autumn 2018

News
07
December
2018
December 7, 2018
CCN in the media: Autumn 2018
SEND
Youth Services
Finance
Home To School Transport
UK Budgets
Children’s services and SEND
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‘Exponential’ rise in special needs pupils leads to councils spending over £300m on transporting young people to school last year

News
21
November
2018
November 21, 2018
‘Exponential’ rise in special needs pupils leads to councils spending over £300m on transporting young people to school last year
Adult Social Care
Culture and Communities
UK Budgets
Transport and Infrastructure
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Budget 2018: CCN response

News
29
October
2018
October 29, 2018
Budget 2018: CCN response
Finance
UK Budgets
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils in England overspend by over £800m on children's care services as local authorities struggle to meet escalating demand

News
23
August
2018
August 23, 2018
Councils in England overspend by over £800m on children's care services as local authorities struggle to meet escalating demand
SEND
Finance
Home To School Transport
Leisure Services
Transport and Infrastructure
Children’s services and SEND
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CCN in the media: May 2018

News
06
June
2018
June 6, 2018
CCN in the media: May 2018
SEND
Finance
Education
Children’s services and SEND
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Councils warn that yearly overspends on special education are ‘unsustainable’

News
14
May
2018
May 14, 2018
Councils warn that yearly overspends on special education are ‘unsustainable’
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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CCN in the press: August 2017

News
05
September
2017
September 5, 2017
CCN in the press: August 2017
Children's Services
Finance
Children’s services and SEND
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New analysis shows spike in demand for rural children’s social services

News
09
August
2017
August 9, 2017
New analysis shows spike in demand for rural children’s social services
Devolution
Education
Children's Services
Children’s services and SEND
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CCN in the press: July 2016

News
05
August
2016
August 5, 2016
CCN in the press: July 2016
Finance
Children’s services and SEND
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Delivering Children’s Services in Challenging Times

News
20
November
2015
November 20, 2015
Delivering Children’s Services in Challenging Times
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