Children's commissioner declares 'state of emergency' in child services across parts of England

A report by Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza finds services for children in parts of England in a "state of emergency."

• The report names Middlesbrough, Bradford and Nottingham among ten areas ranked the hardest places in England to grow up in.
• The analysis found more than one million children were referred to mental health services in 2024-25.
• De Souza urged the government to introduce minimum standards for children's services and create an emergency improvement fund.
• The Department for Education said it was working to improve childcare support and school standards.