Commenting on the DfE's new policy paper on children's social care, Andy Smith, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said: 

“The Children’s Wellbeing Bill is the first new legislation wholly focused on children and young people for several years, and there is plenty to welcome in terms of education and children’s social care.  On the former, the creation of a register for children not currently in school and additional safeguarding checks and balances are to be welcomed. ADCS members have been calling for action, and funding, here for many years. 

“On the social care front, the suite of measures aimed at addressing excessive profiteering from the care of vulnerable children and young people and more support on creating, as well as commissioning, the right placements in the right place at the right time is helpful.  We know some of the largest private equity backed providers carry very high levels of debt which risks children effectively losing their home overnight if a provider fails.  Again, more financial accountability and a focus on governance is welcome as is the expansion of corporate parenting responsibilities and extra support for care experienced people.  

“The results of various pilots and pathfinders trialling some of the measures outlined here as well as further detail to better understand how new policies will translate into practice is needed to understand the implications for children’s services and children’s lives, such as the unique child identifier.  Similarly, new powers for Ofsted to fine providers must link up with other reforms, including the work of a national task and finish group looking at joint solutions for the small cohort of children and young people with very complex needs that we simply cannot find placements for amongst registered providers.  We will work with the government, and others, on developing the details of new policies and measures as well as implementation and delivery.”

ENDS