Published on: 23/10/18
In a letter to Downing Street, the coalition of charities, teaching unions and other charities have demanded that the Government recognise compelling evidence that services and support that children and young people rely on are at breaking point.
They have insisted that urgent action must be taken to put children at the heart of spending plans, as the Chancellor prepares his 2018 budget, and with a spending review looming.
The letter states that:
- A total of 90 children are being taken into care every day - a record high
- Fewer than a third of children and young people with a diagnosable mental health problem will get access to NHS-funded treatment this year
- Only three in 100 families of disabled children think the health and care services available to their children are adequate
- Almost three-quarters of school leaders expect they will be unable to balance their budgets in the next financial year
- The number of children with special educational needs who are awaiting suitable provision has more than doubled since 2010
- Up to three million children are at risk of going hungry during school holidays
Theresa May has promised to bring forward the ‘end of austerity’ and increase investment in public services, however the letter points to a growing body of evidence showing that significant challenges lie ahead.
The coalition of organisations is asking parents, families and other members of the public to show their support by signing a public petition to the Government and using the hashtag #ChildrenAtTheHeart on social media.
