Local Government Association calls for more provisions to be given to councils to handle epidemic
The amount of children recommended for mental health support has risen from 57,410 in 2018, to 87,750 this year – representing nearly a 53% rise, according to figures from the Department for Education.
However, councils are struggling to prioritise services to deal with the epidemic of mental health issues in children due to tighter budgets. This has prompted the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide additional resources to councils so social care providers can adequately handle the issue.
LGA analysis shows that local council expenditure on children’s social care has risen by nearly 25% from £8.5 billion in 2016/17 to £10.5 billion in 2020/21. It is claimed this is mainly due to the record numbers of children in care, although, handling widening mental health issues children are suffering is also proving costly.
Councils have stated they have “grave concerns” due to the decline in children’s mental well-being, with a reported 1,500 children a week displaying signs of mental health problems. The rise in mental health issues has been blamed by councils on the lockdown measures brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating school closures has led to this decline in children’s mental health.
The LGA believe that the cost of living crisis could further exacerbate these mental health struggles for young people as more and more households become plunged into debt. The LGA claim mental health provisions must not be ignored alongside other financial concerns.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“The fact that record numbers of children are seeking help from councils for mental health problems should emphasise to Government the need to adequately fund children’s services and mental health support in the Autumn Statement.
These alarming figures show the huge challenges facing children’s social care and the urgent need to ensure that young people get the support they need, as soon as they need it.
Councils are doing all they can but are buckling under significant funding pressures to ensure they can support children and their families.
This is why it is vital the Autumn Statement delivers a lifeline for children’s services, which risk becoming overwhelmed as the cost-of-living crisis pushes many more households to the brink.”
