This research highlights how spending on children's services and early intervention services has decreased significantly between 2010-11 and 2019-20, while the coronavirus pandemic has further worsened outcomes for children in England. With rising numbers of children and young people now falling into late interventions such as Local Authority Care, the youth justice system and formal safeguarding measures, there is a potential vicious circle that, without action, could further worsen outcomes for children and be more costly in the long-term.
The findings show how investing more in early intervention services to try and support vulnerable children before they reach crisis point offers a potential route to breaking this vicious circle.
Keywords: Children's Services; Covid-19; Looked After Children
