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

HR Onboarding Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
You have an opportunity to be part of a busy Human Resources team which offers HR support across the Council. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner