Somerset Council’s ruling executive has this week backed a £7m investment in a major programme aimed at improving children’s services across the county as part of its long‑term financial recovery plan. He said demand and costs in children’s services had continued to rise and that the council “has to do something different, something better”. The decision follows a Best Value Notice issued by the government urging Somerset Council to take action, and comes just weeks after Ofsted reported that children’s services “required improvement”. The provider running the council’s children’s homes has also recently confirmed it will end its contract after struggling to recruit the specialist staff needed. Somerset Council says the business case for the £7m investment forecasts a return of £28.4m by 2031/32, forming a central part of its long‑term financial strategy.