30.11.15
Further school funding cuts for councils a ‘concern’ – ADCS
Directors of children’s services are concerned that funding for councils to support local schools is “reducing further” and they will be faced with the reality of cutting “vital” frontline services.
During last week’s Spending Review, the chancellor announced that the school funding system is to be overhauled in England and that there are plans to make “local authorities running schools a thing of the past”.
George Osborne said he wants the schools revolution to be complete and will aim to help every secondary school become an Academy.
But Alison O’Sullivan, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), who was recently interviewed in PSE, said the government must recognise that local authorities offer a connectivity between children, their families and their local area and play an important role.
“Local government funding has already been reduced by 40%. Our response has been to innovate and deliver services to some of the most vulnerable children, young people and their families in new and different ways,” she said.
“But the fact is we cannot meet the level of budget reductions outlined today through efficiencies alone and many local authorities across the country are faced with the reality of making real cuts in vital front line services.”
O’Sullivan, who is also director for Children and Young People at Kirklees Council, added that the ADCS is awaiting more detail in the form of the local government settlement where it “will become clear as to how this will impact on the vital services we provide for the most vulnerable children, young people and their families”.