John Pearce: Funding shortfall risks delivery of children’s social care reform

The financial vulnerability of councils could overtake the potential benefits of the reform programme, writes the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.

The association recently held its annual conference in Manchester. This event provides the time and space for our members to debate and discuss our shared challenges but also solutions being developed locally in response to the increasing challenges children, families and local authorities currently face.

John Pearce, corporate director for children and young people at Durham CC, and ADCS president 2023-24

There aren’t many opportunities in the annual children’s services calendar for us to come together in this way, but it is crucial as we strive to improve local services and outcomes of children and families.

We heard from the president of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, in a thoughtful session about the family justice system. There was a specific focus on a wicked issue impacting the courts, local authorities and, most importantly, children and their families: a rise in applications to the National Deprivation of Liberty Court for children who are in crisis.

Crucial funding injection

This was an issue I highlighted in my speech to conference. There has been a near 500% increase in the number of applications to deprive children of their liberty in recent years, many of whom have multiple overlapping needs and experienced significant trauma, earlier childhood abuses and more. This is partly because we are working with a mental health system and a children’s placements system that are broken and we need major national strategies to address this.

The totality of funding for children’s services is simply not enough

I think everyone can agree there is a need for the system to respond differently to better meet children’s needs, maintaining the status quo is untenable.

The government’s plan to reform children’s social care, Stable Homes Built on Love, was a frequent topic of discussion at conference. During this period of pilots, pathfinders and consultations it is important to remember the independent review recommended a crucial injection of £2.6bn for implementation of the reforms.

The totality of funding for children’s services is simply not enough and the scale of reform described in the government’s plan simply can’t be delivered if councils are financially compromised. There is a risk that the financial vulnerability of councils will overtake the potential benefits of the reform programme.

Major policy change needed

Child and family poverty was a strong theme at conference this year as was children’s mental health, two of our many burning platforms.

Directors of children’s services have a statutory duty to ensure the very best outcomes for children and families but there are factors that hinder our ability to improve outcomes. I have said a lot since becoming ADCS president about the crisis in children’s mental health and about how life is getting harder for children and families.

Record levels of inflation and poverty have exacerbated existing inequalities and the children’s mental health system simply doesn’t work for children. Children want change. These issues remain priorities for ADCS, they must be for government too. We need major policy change in these areas.

With a general election approaching, there is an opportunity to prioritise children. Children may not vote, but supporting them to have safe, happy child hoods and to thrive as adults will benefit the whole of society.

John Pearce, ADCS president, 2023-24; corporate director, children and young people, at Durham CC