Rachel de Souza Declares State of Emergency for Youth Services

Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza declared a state of emergency for youth services across several parts of England in her report, The Childhood Lottery. The report identifies a litany of failure in the most challenging areas for young people, specifically naming Middlesbrough, Hounslow, Bradford, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland, and Medway as the hardest places to grow up.

Based on 160 metrics including NHS waiting times, child poverty, and community safety, the findings highlight a stark north-south divide. De Souza noted that children in northern authorities face significantly worse outcomes than those in wealthier regions such as Surrey and Cheshire East. She argued that in some communities, these challenges amount to nothing less than a state of emergency and stated that nowhere in England should a police chase be a primary source of entertainment.

To address these disparities, de Souza urged the government to create a national investment fund for failing areas and establish minimum standards for health, policing, education, and youth services. She also recommended that strategic authorities appoint a deputy mayor for children. The Department for Education responded by stating it is working to improve childcare support and school standards while increasing the power of local leaders.