Martin Ford 25 October 2018

Surge in child protection plans pushing services to ‘tipping point’

Children’s services are approaching the point of crisis following a jump in demand, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

Department for Education figures showed the number of children subject to child protection plans increased by more than 2,700 over the past year - the biggest increase in four years.

Some 53,790 children were receiving support via a child protection plan on 31 March – a 5.3% increase on the previous year and the largest rise since 2014.

The numbers represent an 84% increase in the number of children on plans over the past decade.

Chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, said: ‘We are absolutely clear that unless new funding is found in the Autumn Budget then these vital services, which keep children safe from harm and the worst abuses of society, will reach a tipping point.’

Councils believe the large increase has been caused by greater public awareness following high-profile abuse cases, an increase in families struggling to cope without support and a reduction in early intervention services.

Cllr Bramble continued: ‘Councils have done all they can to protect spending on children’s services by cutting services elsewhere and diverting money, but, despite this, they have been forced to reduce or stop the very services that are designed to help children and families before problems begin or escalate to the point where a child might need to come into care.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Activites Assistants (CASUAL)

Durham County Council
£24,404 (12.65 p.a. hour) - £25,183 (£13.05 p.a. hour)
This is an exciting opportunity for Casual Activities Assistants to join our Leisure and Sport Service.   Leisure Centres are
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pension Administration Officer

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 p.a. (Grade 3) Pay award pending
A vacancy has arisen within Pension Services for an Administration Officer to provide admin and data support to the pensions team and members of the L Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

County Attendance Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
We are seeking to recruit to the role of County Attendance Officer on a permanent basis to work predominately across the North or the South of the county. The team works across the whole of Oxfordshire so flexibility to work in other areas is also require County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Software Engineer Starter

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914
We're looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practice, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You'll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Executive Director - Growth, Enterprise and Environment

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
£139,111.00 (pay award pending)
This is a chance to make a significant difference to the lives of families across our borough – and to seriously improve your quality of life. Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT
Recuriter: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Linkedin Banner