Item 5 - Children's Services Finance Pressures (L19/19)

Summary

This report updates Leaders’ on recent work that London Councils has undertaken to understand the financial pressures facing Children’s Services in London. It identifies ongoing overspends in Children’s Social Care and shortfalls in funding for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The report also outlines research recently commissioned by London Councils to gather further evidence on the cost drivers fuelling these overspends, identify good practice and present policy solutions for London local government.

Recommendation:

Leaders’ Committee is asked to:

  • Note the findings of London Councils’ survey into Children’s Services funding pressures, and ongoing work to gather evidence on cost drivers, good practice and policy solutions
  • Agree to receive a further report on policy recommendations that will emerge through the qualitative research to ensure that London local government is well placed to take collective action to reduce costs and improve outcomes in Children’s Services.

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