Over 80,000 children are being looked after by councils across England, figures have revealed.
Data published today by the Department for Education has confirmed that 81,770 are currently in council care, with over 30,000 who have begun being looked after this year.
As highlighted by the Local Government Association (LGA), the total number of children looked after has risen by nearly 18% since 2015, during which 69,460 children were in care.
To assist local authorities in delivering services such as child protection, family help, care leaver and child in care provision, the LGA has urged the Chancellor to provide adequate council funding in the Budget, allowing for sustainable investment in support services.
According to the LGA, council budgets for children’s social care are expected to increase by 10.1% in 2025/26, with ‘worsening financial pressures’ resulting in a dependence on ‘emergency measures’ like service cuts.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: ‘Councils want to do everything they can to support children and young people and help them to lead happy lives where they can thrive.
‘However, these figures are a reminder of the huge pressures that councils are under to provide this lifeline of support.
‘It is vital the Chancellor in next week’s Budget sets out measures to adequately fund children’s services, ensuring councils have the resources they need so children get the support they deserve.’
Discover all the latest analysis in our Autumn Budget Insights series.
.png)
