Giving children the best start in life?

Abstract

In England, over the last 15 years, social care spending on reactive services for children (including child protection and services for looked after children) has increased exponentially, with nearly two-thirds of councils reporting their 2018/2019 children’s social care budget was insufficient to meet actual levels of demand and spending (LGA, 2019). In order to meet these financial pressures, many local authorities have had no option but to cut non-statutory preventative and early intervention services. This has led to massive reductions in critical infrastructure, services and programmes that support the growth and development of children and young people. Giving children the best start in life has been embraced by many organisations, especially local authorities and local partnerships such as health and wellbeing boards. The pandemic exposed these inequalities, further exacerbating the disadvantage and vulnerability for many children. How we respond to this crisis will either help or further confound the situation. There is an urgent need for targeted and resourced plans to ensure all children are supported to get over the negative effects of the pandemic. Children paid a huge price in ensuring the pandemic did not result in greater numbers of deaths and even greater demands on health services. It is important, and in line with both intergenerational and redistributive justice, that the price they paid and the associated consequences are made a priority in COVID-19 recovery and future plans. Time will tell whether enough attention, effort and resources have been directed towards giving children the best start in life.