Latest figures show that spending to protect vulnerable children at risk of harm has increased by almost a quarter in five years, because of soaring demand for support.
Councils in England spent more than £10.5 billion on children’s social care in 2020/21 – nearly 25 per cent higher than in 2016/17, when expenditure was almost £8.5 billion. More than two-thirds are now overspending their budgets
Following publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the LGA has called for a children’s social care white paper to be published by the autumn, setting out the Government’s commitment to reform and “truly transformational investment” by the Treasury in services.
Children’s services departments are currently focusing much of their resources on supporting those who are in most desperate need of help.
It means many councils are struggling to invest in the early help services that prevent families from reaching crisis point in the first place.
The figures also show that, in the past decade, the number of Section 47 enquiries (carried out when councils suspect a child is suffering, or is at risk of, significant harm) has increased from 111,700 in 2011 to 198,790 in 2021 – a rise of 78 per cent.
The number of children in care in England has also increased by 23 per cent, from 65,510 in 2011 to 80,850 in 2021.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Children’s social care services have been stuck in crisis mode for too long. We are ready to start making the changes that will improve our services and make children’s lives better.
“These new figures demonstrate how hard councils are working to invest in the services children need. However, spiralling costs and increased demand mean that funding is largely supporting those in most urgent need of help.
“We continue to call on the Government to invest additional funding in the strong family help services that can prevent families from reaching crisis point.”