United Kingdom (ChatnewsTV) — The UK government has unveiled the most significant overhaul of children’s social care in a generation, aimed at tackling long-standing issues within the system and improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
According to a statement released on Monday by the UK department of Education, British Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will introduced a series of reforms today in Parliament, signaling a shift from late intervention to a system that prioritizes early support and aims to keep families together whenever possible.
“Our care system has suffered from years of drift and neglect. It’s bankrupting councils, letting families down, and above all, leaving too many children feeling forgotten, powerless, and invisible,” Phillipson said.
“We want to break down the barriers to opportunity and end the cycle of crisis through ambitious reforms to give vulnerable children the best life chances — because none of us thrive until all of us do.”
The reforms come amid a backdrop of rising costs, with local government spending on children in care increasing from £3.1 billion in 2009/10 to £7 billion in 2022/23. Social workers, often overwhelmed by heavy caseloads, have found it challenging to provide adequate support before problems escalate.
One major target of the new reforms is private care providers, some of whom have been accused of prioritizing profit over proper care. According to the Local Government Association, over 1,500 children are in placements costing upwards of £500,000 annually, while the largest 15 private providers report average profits of 23%.
To address these concerns, the government will require key placements providers to disclose financial details, ensuring that money meant for children’s care is not diverted for excessive profits. A new “backstop” law will cap the profits providers can make if voluntary measures fail to curb profiteering. Additionally, Ofsted, the children’s services watchdog, will receive enhanced powers, including the ability to issue civil fines to substandard care homes.
“These new powers will allow Ofsted to do more to make sure all children’s homes are safe and nurturing places,” said Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector.
“We welcome these reforms and stand ready to deliver the Government’s new asks as soon as possible.”
The reforms also include measures aimed at shifting the focus to early intervention, with a commitment to giving families a legal right to be involved in decisions about their children’s care. There will be increased funding for preventative services, details of which are expected in the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, expressed cautious optimism.
“It is positive to see the Government building on recent progress following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care,” she said.
“We are particularly pleased to see an ongoing focus on early help and family networks, and a strong commitment to tackling profiteering.”
Among other significant changes, every council will be required to have multi-agency child safeguarding teams, involving schools and teachers to ensure children don’t fall through the cracks. Additionally, the government will roll out the Staying Close program, which extends support to care leavers up to the age of 21, helping them secure stable housing and access emotional support.
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza highlighted the urgency of the reforms, calling them a long-overdue response to systemic failures.
“Children are paying the price of a broken social care system that allows profits over protection,” she said.
“They need action without delay, not plans or strategies, so I welcome the urgency with which this government is setting out plans to tackle some of the most entrenched challenges.”
To prevent future abuses, Ofsted will also be granted the authority to investigate companies that operate multiple care homes, a measure inspired by previous scandals, such as the Hesley group case. The government will also introduce a consistent child identifier, ensuring information can be efficiently shared between professionals.
As the government takes steps to implement these sweeping reforms, local authorities and private care providers are being encouraged to cooperate fully. Social investment and not-for-profit organizations are expected to play a key role in strengthening the care system, ensuring that children receive the support they need without being subject to financial exploitation.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the Competition and Markets Authority, emphasized the importance of these changes.
“Our market study found multiple concerns — including a shortage of appropriate places — which need to be tackled to ensure vulnerable children and young people are getting the homes they need,” she said.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
