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Your weekly update of London local government issues

20 July 2022

Fragmented services mean children may not get the support they need

London’s fragmented early years support system means many families are at risk from not accessing the right support at the right time, a new report by Isos Partnership commissioned by London Councils has revealed.

The report, “ ( [link removed] )Beyond Boundaries ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )”, identifies a variety of obstacles in the way of joined-up services for children, including capacity, cultural barriers, shifting landscapes including borough boundaries for services and technical difficulties which include a lack of information on sharing systems or rules locally.

( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Ian Edwards ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Joined-up early years services have the potential to transform lives at an important stage of child development, but this report shows that there is still fragmentation in the system which means children and families may not receive all the help they need.

“While we are not looking for one way of integrating the early years system, as we know that each area is responding to different local needs, more could be done at a local level to assist better join up of local early years services.

“Boroughs and our partners in health and education must put the lived experiences of children and families front and centre when discussing how to join up these services. By fostering a good culture of working across professional boundaries and helping to reduce the gaps by sharing information in a useful, effective way, we can help to make sure every child has access to the support they need and has the best start in life.”

London Archives Partnership

The ( [link removed] )London Archives Partnership ( [link removed] ) has published a new publication for senior decision-makers in local authorities - Why Archives, Why Now ( [link removed] )?

The report includes case studies on how archive services are contributing to councils’ strategic agendas in important areas of work, including: inclusion, diversity and anti-racism, community engagement, health and wellbeing, education, and safeguarding digital assets and data.

Supported by London Councils and The National Archives, the London Archives Partnership is made up of archive services from across London’s boroughs and the City of London.

The publication was formally launched with a webinar on 5 July. ( [link removed] )If you would like to watch the webinar, you can do so here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Homelessness services

London Youth Gateway  - one of the groups commissioned by London Councils Grants to provide services to homeless Londoners - is running a series of online information sessions through July and August to ensure London local authorities, statutory services and VCS provider are aware of the services offer.

( [link removed] )You can find more information on the sessions and how to register on their website here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Extreme weather

London has been experiencing exceptionally hot weather for the past few days with the ( [link removed] )Met Office ( [link removed] ) issuing a Red Warning covering London and the ( [link removed] )UK Health Security Agency ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) (UKHSA) raising their first ever level 4 heat alert.

Through the heatwave London's boroughs stepped up advice and support for their local communities, with concentrated efforts on more vulnerable residents including people living in residential care or receiving social care services at home, babies and young children, and those living with health conditions likely to be worsened by the heat.

The temperatures are expected to abate from today.

APPG for London reception

Given the exterme weather conditions, the ( [link removed] )APPG for London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) Summer Reception that was due to take place on Monday was postponed. A new date will be announced shortly

By-election result

Rex Osborn (Lab) was elected to represent the Tooting Broadway ward in Wandsworth in a by-election last week (14 July). ( [link removed] )Full result here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

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In the news..

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( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London boroughs name new joint chief
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Councils face 'significant' national barriers to meeting Net Zero
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Ukraine

To stay up to date with news and ways to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, useful websites include:

Ukrainian Institute London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )With Ukraine (fund set up by Ukrainian Embassy in UK) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )Support Ukraine Now ( [link removed] )
Covid-19 advice

The official UK government website for data and insights on coronavirus: Daily summary ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )You can now also follow London Councils  ( [link removed] )
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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

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London Councils fights for the best deal for our boroughs, develops policy and lobbies government on the issues
that matter for London. We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard.
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