new report<\/a> by the children\u2019s commissioner has exposed \u201csubstantial variation\u201d in support across the country for children involved in social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe rate of children having no further action taken (NFA) after a referral to children\u2019s services varied from between 1.6 per cent in one area, to 63 per cent in another, analysis of data from 2021-22 showed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In these cases, the social workers decided the children did not meet the threshold for intervention by services, although they may have been offered early help, the report added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average NFA rate nationally was 32 per cent \u2013 suggesting various thresholds for support, the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report found, \u201cstaggeringly\u201d, that for a quarter of children classed as \u201cseverely absent\u201d \u2013 missing more than half of school sessions \u2013 and referred to children\u2019s services led to NFA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTackling the root causes of poor school attendance will need a joined-up approach, with interventions within school supplemented by support for the whole family,\u201d the report added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is concerning that so many children struggling with attendance, where partner agencies have identified a need for more intensive help, are not getting it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Postcode lottery’ for children in need plans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The report also found a \u201cpostcode lottery\u201d for children in need plans. In one council, 70 per cent of children involved with children\u2019s social care were on child in need plans, while in another it was as low as 3.6 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Variability in support for the 106,000 children on child in need plans \u2013 who are often \u201chighly vulnerable\u201d \u2013 was also uncovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis suggests a much more consistent model is needed, with complete clarity about what the children\u2019s social care input should be for children with high levels of educational need,\u201d the report added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Souza echoed recommendations from her children missing education report last month<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis included training social workers in \u201ceducational neglect\u201d, banning home education for children with a social worker and giving virtual school heads powers to direct admissions for children in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGetting the right support when children need it will not only help to make their lives happier and healthier but can also prevent things escalating to the point where a child might need to be taken into care,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department for Education was approached for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New children’s commissioner report calls for ‘joined-up approach’ on poor school attendance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":311127,"featured_media":181110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1430],"post-theme":[2524],"class_list":["post-200390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-rachel-de-souza","post-theme-attendance"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t