Action for Children responds to Josh MacAlister’s review of children’s social care

“It’s entirely unacceptable children are left to suffer harm before we give them help.”

 

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said:

 

“The review is right to highlight a care system that is failing too many children. It’s high time the Government walked the walk by investing in services that step in early to support children - this should be central to the ‘levelling-up’ agenda.

 

“Government guidance recognises that when it comes to keeping children safe, the earlier we can get help to them, the better. Yet, last year, the system carried out twice the number of late intervention crisis assessments than those for early help. It’s entirely unacceptable children are left to suffer harm before we give them help. This crisis-driven firefighting isn’t a strategy, it’s a guarantee more children will come to harm.

 

“The case for change has been made. We want to see the review make strong recommendations, including a legal duty, to improve early help services for families. And any real improvement will rely on sufficient funding from government.”