26 May 2022
We welcome the release this week of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and it’s aim of establishing a children’s social care system that is properly funded and provides ‘more responsive, respectful, and effective support‘.
Of the recommendations made in the report, we are supportive of the idea to introduce one category of ‘Family Help’ which could provide families with much higher levels of meaningful support.
In addition, the aim of establishing new multidisciplinary teams made up of family support workers and mental health practitioners (working alongside social workers) and to cut down on referring families onto other services could make a positive impact on families experiences of the care system.
The recommendation for the Law Commission to examine the complex and patchwork legal framework for services for disabled children, in order to strengthen and simplify it, could also lead to long lasting and meaningful change for disabled children.
However, we are concerned that there is not a strong enough specific focus on children with disabilities across the review to ensure that the correct support is provided from the earliest point so that children can thrive.
As well as the need for greater detail and transparency on what children and families are entitled to, there needs to be assurances from government that as reforms to the wider SEND system are identified through the SEND Review, there is clear join up with anything that emerges from this review of social care.
We will continue to engage with all relevant departments and networks to ensure the voice and priorities of our members are reflected in these processes.