‘Once in a generation’ changes will see the demise of local authority influence over education

Responding to an upcoming report to the County Councils cabinet on the 'Future direction of children and young peoples services', Liberal democrats have raised their concerns about the impact of the changes.

• The report to Cabinet (Paper C) on 20^th December outlines the consequences of government changes to education policy on LCC's current services
• The impact of reductions in funding and the transfer of schools to academies is forcing a compete review of the current department
• No details have been released about costs or job losses but the report admits that "there is no part of the CYPS unaffected by current and expected change"
• There is the potential for the County to be forced by the government to cut huge swathes of services, losing countless hundreds of staff
• The loss of experienced staff and the county council's capacity will be severely tested when an Academy fails.

Liberal Democrats will be looking for assurances on the following areas:

• SEN and Safeguarding ensuring the budgets and capacity are sufficient
• The role of the Council to act as 'champions' for children and Young People.

Don Wright Spokesman for Children and Young People said: "These are changes that happen once in a generation, the impact will be felt by everyone.

The government is implementing a radical and untested set of reforms that will force the County to lose precious and skilled staff, cut budgets and deal with unknown consequences of Academies failing. All without the power or money to ensure that local children and young people are protected.

At the same time in order to act as 'champions' of children and young people as the government says it wants Councils to do, we must ensure that things like SEN and Youth Work are protected and properly funded. The consequences of not investing in our young people are dire for them, their families and our communities."