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Chief Executive Dr Jo Casebourne responds to the Budget

Wednesday 30th October 2024

“We welcome the Budget’s ambition to focus support on the most vulnerable children and young people, including the trialling of kinship care allowances in pilot local authorities. Our research shows that financial allowances for kinship carers increase the stability and durability of kinship arrangements. They make it more likely that families stay together safely, which could help children avoid residential care and promote better outcomes for them. 

We also look forward to working with the Government on the detail of the fundamental reform of children’s social care signalled in the Budget, which will be necessary to bring about real change for children.

The continued support for Family Hubs marks a promising commitment to prevention in the short-term, and now we want to see an ambitious vision and plan for evidence-based, integrated family support in the next Spending Review.

The Government have restated their ambition to tackle violence against women and girls and reduce domestic abuse, and it’s now crucial that children exposed to domestic abuse are not overlooked in this agenda. The evidence is clear – without prevention and support to directly address their needs, children suffer significant long-term, negative impacts.”   

ENDS

For further information, please contact Charlotte Kelsted, Senior Press Officer: 07773 647 480 / charlotte.kelsted@foundations.org.uk