Summary
This report updates Leaders’ Committee on recent work that London Councils has undertaken to understand the cost pressures within Children’s Services in London. It sets out findings from London Councils’ survey into financial pressures which revealed considerable and persistent overspending in children’s social care, an immediate pressure caused by a shortfall in high needs funding of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) caused by growth in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils, and considerable overspending in SEN transport.
The report outlines potential lobbying activity to secure greater recognition from government in the face of these pressures.
Recommendations
Leaders’ Committee is asked to:
• note the ongoing work to be undertaken in relation to children’s social care pressures in relation to the Fair Funding Review, and the need to support further lobbying on this key issue where possible (see paragraphs 25-28); and
• support the proposals set out in paragraph 29-34 to undertake more immediate lobbying with regard to SEND funding shortfalls.
