Services for children in several parts of England are facing a “state of emergency” as systemic failures and resource shortages have severely hindered the well-being and development of young people, according to a recent report by the children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza.
Drawing on data from over 160 indicators—covering areas such as child poverty, educational achievement, community safety, NHS waiting times, and access to recreational facilities—the report highlights a stark divide in childhood experiences across the country. It identifies a group of areas including Middlesbrough, Hounslow, Bradford, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland, and Medway as some of the most challenging places for children to grow up. In contrast, relatively affluent areas such as Cheshire East, Merton, Surrey, Richmond upon Thames, Hertfordshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Haringey, Leicestershire, Central Bedfordshire, and Wokingham feature among the least difficult environments for young people.
De Souza, who visited schools, youth clubs, and young offender institutions recently, described some of the conditions she witnessed as deeply troubling. During a visit to Middlesbrough, she recounted a conversation with a 14-year-old girl who recited local crime statistics—knowledge De Souza said children should not have to possess. She criticized circumstances where children must be shielded from dangers that force their parents into difficult conversations about safety, or where schools are burdened with managing drug overdoses and incidents of racist violence.
The report argues that the challenges in these areas amount to more than isolated issues; rather, they represent a comprehensive failure of support systems. “When areas are unsafe, that is not a point on a dashboard, it is children being the subject of racist abuse and violence on the way to school,” it states. It also highlights the emotional toll on children facing personal tragedies amid inadequate local services.
The findings point to a pronounced geographical disparity, with northern England generally scoring lower on these measures than southern parts, and the Midlands falling in between. De Souza called for the government to elevate children’s welfare within its devolution agenda by establishing minimum national standards in areas such as education, policing, health, and youth services. She proposed the creation of a national fund dedicated to investing in underperforming areas and recommended that strategic authorities appoint deputy mayors responsible for children’s issues, ensuring local policies positively impact young people.
In response, the Department for Education noted ongoing efforts to enhance childcare support and school quality, emphasizing the role of local leaders in shaping the future of education in their communities.