Children's Services
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
- Wandsworth Council is forecasting a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year, driven by increased demand in children's services. Source
- Islington Council is implementing a strategy to address a critical shortage in its children's workforce. Source
- Wandsworth's children's services were rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in all areas in September 2026. Source
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for the 2026/27 financial year, partly due to children's services. Source
- 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.