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<p>The number of children referred to children’s social care is published in the annual
‘Characteristics of Children in need’ publication. The most recent publication is
available on the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2017-to-2018/"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2017-to-2018/</a>
and a table summarising the last five years for Greenwich and Bexley is attached.</p><p>As
children’s services are delivered through local government, the vast majority of their
funding comes through the Local Government Finance Settlement. However, as the responsibilities,
structure and makeup of local authorities and the Department for Education have changed
a great deal since 2009, central funding [department spend] to local government and
wider spending power measures therefore are not directly comparable over this period.</p><p>
</p><p>Over the 5 year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20, councils have access, through
the Settlement, to over £200 billion to deliver local services. For Bexley and Greenwich
this means core spending power of:</p><p> </p><p>(Available figures)</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>2019-20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bexley</p></td><td><p>£155,154,372</p></td><td><p>£157,014,982</p></td><td><p>£159,902,295</p></td><td><p>£162,024,253</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greenwich</p></td><td><p>£219,920,182</p></td><td><p>£226,780,981</p></td><td><p>£231,040,760</p></td><td><p>£233,211,791</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Source:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/final-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2018-to-2019"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/final-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2018-to-2019</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>This core spending power is un-ring fenced and it is for local authorities
(LAs) to determine spend across different areas according to local priorities, including
children’s services.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to this the Autumn Budget announced
a further £410 million in 2019-20 for LAs to invest in adult and children’s social
care services. It also announced £84 million of extra funding, over the next five
years, to support LAs to invest in initiatives that improve social work practice and
decision making.</p>
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