Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC), which has one of the highest rates of children in care in the country, is getting a £4.8mn boost over two years to reduce the need and ensure the care is high quality when it is necessary.
RCBC is one of 14 councils in England struggling with high-cost services which will benefit from a funding boost to help modernise services, harness AI and reduce their reliance on emergency support.
Over the next two years these authorities will be able to invest in planned projects that modernise the most intensive and expensive service areas, helping to put them on a sustainable long-term footing and helping break the cycle of dependence on exceptional support.
Spiralling demand
Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Jim McMahon said:
“Councils have been under enormous strain from a broken funding system and spiralling demand for services like care and temporary accommodation.
“That’s why we took action from day one to fix the foundations by addressing the causes of those issues, from reforming the outdated local government funding system to tackling homelessness, challenges with children’s services and in the SEND system.
“This targeted support for councils facing the toughest pressures is the next step forward, helping end reliance on emergency funding and providing a blueprint for reform across local government.”
Welcome
Councillor Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We very much welcome this funding, which will help us continue investing in services that support children, young people and families across Redcar and Cleveland.
“With Redcar and Cleveland having the fifth highest rate of children in care in the country, this additional money will be targeted at initiatives which seek to prevent children from coming into care, and when that is required, to build on existing work to ensure that the care is high quality and cost effective. It will also contribute towards the delivery of services which enable children to leave care and safely return home or to family arrangements.
“We’d like to thank government for listening and responding so quickly.”
*This report is based on a press release from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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