Rachael Wardell, ADCS Vice President said:

“All major political parties have now published their manifestos ahead of the forthcoming general election with a number of common themes emerging such as recruiting more teachers and increasing the number of childcare places available. There is also a welcome focus on tackling childhood disadvantage seen in some of the pledges put forward and ADCS looks forward to working with the next government to ensure they deliver on these promises. However, first and foremost we need any new government to put in place a long-term plan for childhood to invest in children’s futures and to close the funding gap in children’s services so that services can meet children’s and families’ needs. Children do not have the opportunity to vote and for too long have not been treated as a political priority. Now is the time to put their needs front and centre by prioritising and investing in children, young people, their families and in the public services that support them.

“There are a number of areas in the system that must be addressed immediately, such as growing pressures in children’s social care and SEND services as well as the need to support children’s health and wellbeing, particularly their mental health. In order to tackle these issues and improve children’s lives, we need all government departments to work together so that children and families are at the heart of all policy decisions.”

ENDS