William Eichler 14 January 2025

ADCS: Cuts have led to poor safeguarding outcomes for children

ADCS: Cuts have led to poor safeguarding outcomes for children  image
Image: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com.

The combination of poor-quality housing and the cost-of-living crisis is contributing to ‘family distress and breakdown’, according to directors of children’s services.

The latest Safeguarding Pressures report by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) found that overcrowding, use of temporary accommodation and the affordability of housing are putting increasing pressure on families.

The report also revealed that health challenges, such as the impact of delayed access to assessment or substance abuse treatment plans for parents and carers, were a key theme in the safeguarding research.

The impact of Covid-19 on children and young people’s lives and on their outcomes is also increasingly visible in growing levels of mental health need among children and parents and carers, according to the research.

Andy Smith, ADCS President, said: ‘The latest phase of our research makes it clear that the stripping back of our public services has led to, and continues to result in, poor outcomes for children.

‘In order to improve children’s lives, we need to improve public services as a whole and ensure that parents and carers have the access to the support, they need and families are able to be housed in safe, decent homes in the communities they have connections in.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Triage Officer

Essex County Council
£26485.00 - £31158.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Senior Triage OfficerPermanent, Full Time£26,485 to £31,158 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Triage Officer

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £26962.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Triage OfficerPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £26,962 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Practitioner - Clacton Family Centre

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Senior Practitioner - Clacton Family CentrePermanent, Part TimeLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Children and Families Hub, Colchester

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Children and Families Hub, ColchesterPermanent, Part Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annum (Full Time Equivalent)Actual Salary (22.2 hours England, Essex, Colchester
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

North Yorkshire Council
From £45,718 up to £49,764 per annum pro rata + relocation support
The service is county wide and therefore candidates will be expected to work across other locality areas as needed to meet service demand. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner