William Eichler 06 February 2024

Crisis support requests quadruple in five years, FOI reveals

Crisis support requests quadruple in five years, FOI reveals image
Image: Pressmaster / Shutterstock.com.

Applications to council crisis funds for help with beds for children have more than quadrupled in half a decade, a children’s charity has revealed.

Barnado’s also found that while applications have increased dramatically, the success rate of requests for support had fallen as councils struggled to keep up with demand.

A freedom of information request to 151 councils in England by the charity found that on average local authorities received 180 crisis requests for help with children’s beds and bedding in 2018-19. By 2022-23 this had risen to 450 requests.

The FOI responses also revealed that in 2018/2019 there were 4,316 requests for beds and bedding for children – of which 2,294 were successful (53%).?However, by 2022/23 this had risen to 17,534 applications, of which 7,227 were successful (41%).?

The charity estimates that at least 10,000 children and families who asked for help providing beds and bedding for their children were turned down.

Barnardo’s chief executive, Lynn Perry MBE, said: ‘Our figures show the increasing pressure being put on local councils to provide crisis support – with applications for beds or bedding for children quadrupling in just a few years.

‘And yet, even with the Household Support Fund in place, councils are struggling to keep up with demand. That fund is due to end in two months’ time – if it does, it will leave a huge hole in the ability of councils to provide help – including providing beds or bedding for children who deserve a decent night's sleep. Time is running out.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Legal Assistant Litigation

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a legal assistant to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Services Assistants

Durham County Council
£24,790 to £25,992 p.a. (Grade 4)
A vacancy has arisen within Transactional and Customer Services for two  Customer Services Assistant working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primar Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Litigation Lawyer

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a lawyer to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner