Issue

Children's Services

20 stories · discussed at 8 council meetings · 16 councils

Councils are currently addressing significant budget overspends in children's services while also focusing on workforce challenges and service quality improvements.

Several councils are reporting significant budget overspends in children's services for the 2026/27 financial year. Wandsworth Council is forecasting a £5.3 million overspend, driven by increased demand, as detailed in its Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring report in October 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend, attributed to rising costs and demand, according to a report to Cabinet in September 2026.

Alongside financial pressures, councils are working on service quality and workforce issues. Islington Council is implementing a strategy to address a children's workforce shortage, with its Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee reviewing progress in October 2026. In September 2026, Wandsworth's children's services received an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted, while Merton Council's children's services faced scrutiny over increased complaints and delayed responses in September 2026.

Other councils have also reported financial challenges, with Bexley's Children's Services facing a £2.234 million overspend in March 2026 due to increased support costs, and Richmond Council's children's services projecting a £1.4 million overspend in February 2026, driven by placement costs. No upcoming meetings are listed for this topic.

Key facts

  1. Wandsworth Council is forecasting a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year, driven by increased demand in children's services. Source
  2. Islington Council is implementing a strategy to address a critical shortage in its children's workforce. Source
  3. Wandsworth's children's services were rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in all areas in September 2026. Source
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for the 2026/27 financial year, partly due to children's services. Source
  5. Merton Council logged 44 formal stage 1 complaints for children's services in 2025/26, a rise from 29 the previous year. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 9 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Councillor Anthony Okereke Re-elected Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Anthony Okereke has been re-elected as Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council at the authority's annual meeting, securing a significant majority for the... Greenwich 30 May 2026
  2. Bexley Children's Services Faces £2.2m Overspend Due to Increased Support Costs Bexley's Children's Services is facing a projected overspend of £2.234 million, primarily driven by increased costs associated with supporting children with disabilities and... Bexley 26 March 2026
  3. Hillingdon Council Faces £36.3 Million Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care and Housing Pressures Hillingdon Council is facing a significant budget overspend of £36.3 million for the current financial year, primarily driven by increased demand in children's services, adult... Hillingdon 23 March 2026
  4. Richmond Children's Services Face £1.4m Overspend Driven by Placement Costs Richmond Council's children's services are facing a projected overspend of £1.4 million, primarily driven by the rising costs of placing children in care. This financial... Richmond upon Thames 1 February 2026
  5. H&F Council Proposes £17.9m Savings and Council Tax Hike Amidst Financial Pressures Hammersmith and Fulham Council is planning to make savings of £17.9 million for the 2026/27 financial year as part of its Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The proposals... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 January 2026
  6. Hammersmith and Fulham Council Proposes Nearly 3% Council Tax Increase for 2026/27 Budget Hammersmith and Fulham Council is proposing to increase Council Tax by nearly 3% for residents as part of its budget for the 2026/27 financial year. The increase, which includes... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 January 2026
  7. Croydon Council seeks transformation partner for CYPE Directorate's 'Helping Families Thrive' program Croydon Council is seeking a strategic transformation partner to drive forward significant changes within its Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Directorate, aiming to... Croydon 22 January 2026
  8. H&F Faces £2.16M Overspend Amid Social Care Pressures, Temporary Housing Costs, and Children's Services Hammersmith and Fulham Council is facing a projected £2.16 million overspend in its General Fund, primarily due to rising pressures in adult social care, temporary... Hammersmith and Fulham 10 December 2025