Amber Dellar
@amberdellar.bsky.social
Researcher, public services @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Focusing on schools and local government, particularly children's social care and homelessness. She/her
So while this advert from Cornwall might be shocking, it represents a much deeper problem affecting pretty much every council and many children in care with very complex needs
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
So while this advert from Cornwall might be shocking, it represents a much deeper problem affecting pretty much every council and many children in care with very complex needs
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
This problem appears to have been getting worse. Deprivation of liberty orders (or DoLs) are often used to put children in unregistered, unlawful homes, when there are no other options
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This problem appears to have been getting worse. Deprivation of liberty orders (or DoLs) are often used to put children in unregistered, unlawful homes, when there are no other options
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
So while this advert from Cornwall might be shocking, it represents a much deeper problem affecting pretty much every council and child with very complex needs
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
So while this advert from Cornwall might be shocking, it represents a much deeper problem affecting pretty much every council and child with very complex needs
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
And it's far from an inevitable situation. As Lady Arden wrote in a Supreme Court judgment in 2021 👇
This problem appears to have been getting worse. Deprivation of liberty orders (or DoLs) are often used to put children in unregistered, unlawful homes, when there are no other options
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This problem appears to have been getting worse. Deprivation of liberty orders (or DoLs) are often used to put children in unregistered, unlawful homes, when there are no other options
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
There's been more than a sixfold increase in DoL applications since 2018
And suspensions have increased most sharply among pupils living in the poorest areas.
In 2023–24, they were 10 times more common among pupils living in the most deprived areas than among those in the least deprived areas.
In 2023–24, they were 10 times more common among pupils living in the most deprived areas than among those in the least deprived areas.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
And suspensions have increased most sharply among pupils living in the poorest areas.
In 2023–24, they were 10 times more common among pupils living in the most deprived areas than among those in the least deprived areas.
In 2023–24, they were 10 times more common among pupils living in the most deprived areas than among those in the least deprived areas.
6️⃣ Educational inequalities – especially for children from low-income backgrounds and with special educational needs –are growing.
Children with EHCPs are now twice as likely to be absent from school as peers without SEN.
In some areas, they miss a full day of secondary school each week.
Children with EHCPs are now twice as likely to be absent from school as peers without SEN.
In some areas, they miss a full day of secondary school each week.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
6️⃣ Educational inequalities – especially for children from low-income backgrounds and with special educational needs –are growing.
Children with EHCPs are now twice as likely to be absent from school as peers without SEN.
In some areas, they miss a full day of secondary school each week.
Children with EHCPs are now twice as likely to be absent from school as peers without SEN.
In some areas, they miss a full day of secondary school each week.
5️⃣DfE describes the shortage of high-quality teachers as a 'major issue', but the govt's plan to tackle it lacks clarity and evidence.
It's currently unclear what its pledge for an additional 6,500 teachers means, how it will be delivered, and how it relates to the shortage.
It's currently unclear what its pledge for an additional 6,500 teachers means, how it will be delivered, and how it relates to the shortage.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
5️⃣DfE describes the shortage of high-quality teachers as a 'major issue', but the govt's plan to tackle it lacks clarity and evidence.
It's currently unclear what its pledge for an additional 6,500 teachers means, how it will be delivered, and how it relates to the shortage.
It's currently unclear what its pledge for an additional 6,500 teachers means, how it will be delivered, and how it relates to the shortage.
Surprisingly, *less* deprived areas have higher deficits on average.
This is perhaps because parents in more affluent areas are better equipped to advocate for their children’s needs.
This is perhaps because parents in more affluent areas are better equipped to advocate for their children’s needs.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Surprisingly, *less* deprived areas have higher deficits on average.
This is perhaps because parents in more affluent areas are better equipped to advocate for their children’s needs.
This is perhaps because parents in more affluent areas are better equipped to advocate for their children’s needs.
4️⃣Local authorities are each racking up substantially different deficits in their schools budgets.
That extraordinary variation is driven by many things, including: differences in access to SEND support and use of expensive independent provision, and an out-of-date funding formula.
That extraordinary variation is driven by many things, including: differences in access to SEND support and use of expensive independent provision, and an out-of-date funding formula.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
4️⃣Local authorities are each racking up substantially different deficits in their schools budgets.
That extraordinary variation is driven by many things, including: differences in access to SEND support and use of expensive independent provision, and an out-of-date funding formula.
That extraordinary variation is driven by many things, including: differences in access to SEND support and use of expensive independent provision, and an out-of-date funding formula.
3️⃣The crisis in the special educational needs system is piling on further financial strain, as government tries to meet mounting demand without a plan for reform.
We estimate that the average education, health and care plan cost £1,000 more than the funding it attracted in 2023/24.
We estimate that the average education, health and care plan cost £1,000 more than the funding it attracted in 2023/24.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
3️⃣The crisis in the special educational needs system is piling on further financial strain, as government tries to meet mounting demand without a plan for reform.
We estimate that the average education, health and care plan cost £1,000 more than the funding it attracted in 2023/24.
We estimate that the average education, health and care plan cost £1,000 more than the funding it attracted in 2023/24.
2️⃣Falling pupil numbers also present an opportunity. If managed well, lower demand could free up resources for desperately needed SEND provision.
Two thirds of state special schools are now overcrowded. This can mean unmet personal care needs, or children missing out on special schools entirely.
Two thirds of state special schools are now overcrowded. This can mean unmet personal care needs, or children missing out on special schools entirely.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
2️⃣Falling pupil numbers also present an opportunity. If managed well, lower demand could free up resources for desperately needed SEND provision.
Two thirds of state special schools are now overcrowded. This can mean unmet personal care needs, or children missing out on special schools entirely.
Two thirds of state special schools are now overcrowded. This can mean unmet personal care needs, or children missing out on special schools entirely.
1️⃣ Primary pupil numbers are falling across the country, particularly in coastal areas, London, and outside of London in smaller, more rural areas.
The system’s slow adjustment is further stretching the schools budget, leaving money increasingly tied up in empty classrooms.
The system’s slow adjustment is further stretching the schools budget, leaving money increasingly tied up in empty classrooms.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
1️⃣ Primary pupil numbers are falling across the country, particularly in coastal areas, London, and outside of London in smaller, more rural areas.
The system’s slow adjustment is further stretching the schools budget, leaving money increasingly tied up in empty classrooms.
The system’s slow adjustment is further stretching the schools budget, leaving money increasingly tied up in empty classrooms.
I’ve spent the last few months doing a deep dive into the scale of the challenge the English schools system faces, looking at: pupil numbers; SEND and financial pressures; staffing; and the performance of schools.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I’ve spent the last few months doing a deep dive into the scale of the challenge the English schools system faces, looking at: pupil numbers; SEND and financial pressures; staffing; and the performance of schools.
In fact, there are very few councils doing well across all or nearly all of their services - funding pressures have forced trade-offs.
But there are some. One of these attributed their strong performance to a few factors.
But there are some. One of these attributed their strong performance to a few factors.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
In fact, there are very few councils doing well across all or nearly all of their services - funding pressures have forced trade-offs.
But there are some. One of these attributed their strong performance to a few factors.
But there are some. One of these attributed their strong performance to a few factors.
It is illegal for councils to house children in B&Bs for longer than six weeks, because of the notoriously poor living conditions. This has become twice as common among households with children in TA since mid-2018.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
It is illegal for councils to house children in B&Bs for longer than six weeks, because of the notoriously poor living conditions. This has become twice as common among households with children in TA since mid-2018.
4️⃣Outcomes do not appear to be improving in step with unit costs.
Access to adult social care has stayed pretty flat over the last decade.
Access to adult social care has stayed pretty flat over the last decade.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
4️⃣Outcomes do not appear to be improving in step with unit costs.
Access to adult social care has stayed pretty flat over the last decade.
Access to adult social care has stayed pretty flat over the last decade.
For children's social care, some local authorities were spending three and a half times more per child in care than others in 23/24.
E.g. £198,808 in Richmond versus £56,318 in
York (in 2025/26 prices).
This gap shrinks only slightly after accounting for varying property and labour costs.
E.g. £198,808 in Richmond versus £56,318 in
York (in 2025/26 prices).
This gap shrinks only slightly after accounting for varying property and labour costs.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
For children's social care, some local authorities were spending three and a half times more per child in care than others in 23/24.
E.g. £198,808 in Richmond versus £56,318 in
York (in 2025/26 prices).
This gap shrinks only slightly after accounting for varying property and labour costs.
E.g. £198,808 in Richmond versus £56,318 in
York (in 2025/26 prices).
This gap shrinks only slightly after accounting for varying property and labour costs.
3️⃣There's big variation in unit costs across England, in all 3 services.
In London, the cost of temporary accommodation is roughly equal to the local median private rent. Elsewhere, one council appears spending 25 times the local median private rent to house a family in TA.
In London, the cost of temporary accommodation is roughly equal to the local median private rent. Elsewhere, one council appears spending 25 times the local median private rent to house a family in TA.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
3️⃣There's big variation in unit costs across England, in all 3 services.
In London, the cost of temporary accommodation is roughly equal to the local median private rent. Elsewhere, one council appears spending 25 times the local median private rent to house a family in TA.
In London, the cost of temporary accommodation is roughly equal to the local median private rent. Elsewhere, one council appears spending 25 times the local median private rent to house a family in TA.
2️⃣ More people need services, but not enough to explain ballooning spending.
Unit costs appear to be up in all 3 services.
E.g. spending on children's social care has risen twice as fast as the number of children in care since 2012/13
And local authorities now use more expensive forms of TA.
Unit costs appear to be up in all 3 services.
E.g. spending on children's social care has risen twice as fast as the number of children in care since 2012/13
And local authorities now use more expensive forms of TA.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
2️⃣ More people need services, but not enough to explain ballooning spending.
Unit costs appear to be up in all 3 services.
E.g. spending on children's social care has risen twice as fast as the number of children in care since 2012/13
And local authorities now use more expensive forms of TA.
Unit costs appear to be up in all 3 services.
E.g. spending on children's social care has risen twice as fast as the number of children in care since 2012/13
And local authorities now use more expensive forms of TA.
Half of the rise in demand for homelessness services can be linked to people leaving asylum accommodation or institutional settings (such as custody or hospital).
And a lack of capacity in children's mental health services means that many of those children end up in care instead.
And a lack of capacity in children's mental health services means that many of those children end up in care instead.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Half of the rise in demand for homelessness services can be linked to people leaving asylum accommodation or institutional settings (such as custody or hospital).
And a lack of capacity in children's mental health services means that many of those children end up in care instead.
And a lack of capacity in children's mental health services means that many of those children end up in care instead.
This rise in acute spending has been driven by 1️⃣ higher demand and 2️⃣delivery becoming more expensive (among other things).
1️⃣For example, now 1 in every 200 households in England is living in temporary accommodation. That's as high as 6% in Newham.
The number has grown by 2.5 times since 2010
1️⃣For example, now 1 in every 200 households in England is living in temporary accommodation. That's as high as 6% in Newham.
The number has grown by 2.5 times since 2010
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
This rise in acute spending has been driven by 1️⃣ higher demand and 2️⃣delivery becoming more expensive (among other things).
1️⃣For example, now 1 in every 200 households in England is living in temporary accommodation. That's as high as 6% in Newham.
The number has grown by 2.5 times since 2010
1️⃣For example, now 1 in every 200 households in England is living in temporary accommodation. That's as high as 6% in Newham.
The number has grown by 2.5 times since 2010
Spending on homelessness (another acute service) has also rocketed:
Between 2009/10 and 2024/25, local authority net spending on temporary accommodation grew by more than a factor of 19
Between 2009/10 and 2024/25, local authority net spending on temporary accommodation grew by more than a factor of 19
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Spending on homelessness (another acute service) has also rocketed:
Between 2009/10 and 2024/25, local authority net spending on temporary accommodation grew by more than a factor of 19
Between 2009/10 and 2024/25, local authority net spending on temporary accommodation grew by more than a factor of 19
It's also squeezing out spending on more preventative services.
When people don’t get early support, their problems often get worse. This, in turn, increases acute demand, further squeezing preventative spending.
See the full report for ideas on how govt should prioritise prevention.
When people don’t get early support, their problems often get worse. This, in turn, increases acute demand, further squeezing preventative spending.
See the full report for ideas on how govt should prioritise prevention.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
It's also squeezing out spending on more preventative services.
When people don’t get early support, their problems often get worse. This, in turn, increases acute demand, further squeezing preventative spending.
See the full report for ideas on how govt should prioritise prevention.
When people don’t get early support, their problems often get worse. This, in turn, increases acute demand, further squeezing preventative spending.
See the full report for ideas on how govt should prioritise prevention.
To set the scene, spending on acute local government services (those where there are stricter legal duties) has grown pretty dramatically over the last decade.
And it's squeezing out spending on other services - often those that are more visible, like libraries, parks, or road maintenance.
And it's squeezing out spending on other services - often those that are more visible, like libraries, parks, or road maintenance.
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
To set the scene, spending on acute local government services (those where there are stricter legal duties) has grown pretty dramatically over the last decade.
And it's squeezing out spending on other services - often those that are more visible, like libraries, parks, or road maintenance.
And it's squeezing out spending on other services - often those that are more visible, like libraries, parks, or road maintenance.
Tackling high absence rates will also be critical.
In 2023-24, disadvantaged pupils missed 14.0% of secondary school, or ~1.5 days every 2 weeks.
Their better off peers missed only half that.
That gap in absence rates has more than doubled since before the pandemic.
In 2023-24, disadvantaged pupils missed 14.0% of secondary school, or ~1.5 days every 2 weeks.
Their better off peers missed only half that.
That gap in absence rates has more than doubled since before the pandemic.
August 20, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Tackling high absence rates will also be critical.
In 2023-24, disadvantaged pupils missed 14.0% of secondary school, or ~1.5 days every 2 weeks.
Their better off peers missed only half that.
That gap in absence rates has more than doubled since before the pandemic.
In 2023-24, disadvantaged pupils missed 14.0% of secondary school, or ~1.5 days every 2 weeks.
Their better off peers missed only half that.
That gap in absence rates has more than doubled since before the pandemic.