On the eve of the 2025-26 Budget, to be delivered tomorrow in the House of Assembly, a charity head called for an increased investment by the Government into a lifeline for community care.

Kelly Hunt, the executive director of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, told The Royal Gazette: “We hope that this year’s Budget will reflect the current socioeconomic climate we find ourselves in.”

She added: “Social services are required now more than ever, so we hope to see support for both children and adult care.”

Ms Hunt said it was also time for the Government to back putting social workers in schools.

“Counsellors cannot support the variety of emotional and socioeconomic needs that they are seeing among our students,” she said.

“An extended plan that includes improving process and procedure so that multiple agencies work together must be established.

“Additionally, the increase of needs for neurodivergent students loudly calls for more support, training and specialised care.

“Not to mention, parents who require assistance rely heavily on an under-resourced third sector to meet their needs.”

She added: “While we understand the constraints, we hope to see further collaboration and efforts surrounding a continuum of care system that will strengthen our social fabric for the future.”