More than 30 child protection departments in special measures

Demand for children’s social care doubles as sector loses £4.1bn to funding cuts

The children’s services departments of more than 30 councils in England are in special measures, an Observer analysis has revealed.

The survey comes amid claims that the child protection sector is experiencing a funding crisis similar to the one that engulfed adult social care two years ago. Of the record 31 authorities currently under some form of intervention, 21 – including Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Tower Hamlets – are subject to statutory directions in which the education secretary legally requires an authority to take action. The remainder – which include Manchester and Surrey – have been issued with improvement notices.

Continue reading...

from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2AJ7z6k