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.’
