Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah who is also Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board is among calling for long-term funding for children in care in the Spending Review.
Around 1,700 children are referred to children’s social care services every day in England, underlining the need for an adequate long term funding solution in the Spending Review and a cross-government plan to support children and young people.
There were 621,880 referrals to children’s social care in the year ending 31 March 2024.
Almost a quarter of a million (224,520) investigations were also carried out last year to determine whether a child was suffering, or at risk of, significant harm.
Over half of children assessed had abuse or neglect identified as their primary need, with factors around domestic abuse and mental health playing a significant role.
Councils receive referrals from various bodies, but these are primarily from schools, health, and the police.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils, is calling on the Government to ensure all councils receive sufficient funding in the Spending Review to invest in family help, child protection, and child in care and care leaver services.
By having the funding to invest in early intervention, councils will be able to prevent more children from reaching crisis point and requiring more extensive and costly support later on.
It also says government should develop a cross-government strategy for children, young people and families to ensure all partners are working towards a shared ambition.
Children’s social care is one of the biggest cost pressures facing councils.
Rising costs have seen children’s social care budgets increase by 11 per cent to £14.2 billion in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.
This is driven by rising costs of placements for children in care, largely due to increasing use of residential placements, and the increasing need for specialist support for children with complex needs.
The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in May 2022 estimated the cost of reforming children’s social care to be £2.6 billion.
With many of the issues that lead to children needing support from children’s social care falling in the remit of other government departments and public bodies, the LGA says a cross-government plan would enable all partners to work together and get the very best for children.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“Council support for children and young people is central to the delivery of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
“With investment in children’s social care and partner agencies including mental health provision, we can focus on early intervention and preventing children from reaching crisis point, where the level and costs of support are significantly higher.
“The Spending Review is an opportunity for long-term, sustainable funding for children’s social care and the services children and families rely on, that puts the sector on a stable footing and provides the support that enables every child to thrive.”
