Children’s Social Care and Education

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Children's Social Care and Education

When you respond to the complexity in children’s services, outcomes can be improved – and money saved.

The challenge

There is almost universal agreement on what we want for our children and young people; to be living safely (with family wherever possible) and being given every chance to achieve their dreams.

In the context of insufficient funds, with more children and young people coming into the care of local authorities, and more families with special educational needs and disabilities requiring support, it is more important than ever for Directors of Children’s Services and other leaders to refocus their ways of working to support outcomes for children and young people.

Our work has proven that it is possible, through working with partners to deliver better outcomes that cost less through;

Maximising inclusion and independence
Understanding need and linking to support
Pivoting towards early intervention

Focus areas

Our work in children’s services has two core focus areas:

Supporting High Needs

Shifting the High Needs system towards earlier intervention and support, reducing new demand and stepping down unnecessary specialist provision.

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Valuing Care

Triangulating needs with costs and outcomes to drive better value from placements, prevent entry into care and improve outcomes in the system.

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NEW Valuing Care Report, co-produced with Norfolk County Council

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Working with IMPOWER has helped us to significantly strengthen and improve the way we support our children in care - and this is having a real impact on children's lives and on our efforts to maintain a stable financial footing. My team have been really impressed with how IMPOWER have engaged and worked with frontline staff, using Valuing Care to make step changes to behaviour, practice and decision making at pace.

DEBBIE BARNES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

The work delivered by local authorities and IMPOWER to improve outcomes for children with additional needs in a sustainable way is hugely impressive. It has helped inform the thinking of the national SEND review as importantly the approach is sustainable and replicable – and I have valued their keenness to share learning with others to support broader sector thinking.

DAME CHRISTINE LENEHAN, DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BUREAU & DFE ADVISOR

High Needs Delivery Advisory Board

The High Needs Advisory was set up to share strategic reflection on how to solve the challenges, and deliver the best outcomes, for children and families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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