Thomas Bridge 22 September 2014

Yearly cost of children going back into care reaches £300m, report says

Some 5,000 children return to care after being reunited with their families at a cost of £300m every year – a report claims.

Research by the Centre for Child and Family Research at Loughborough University on behalf of the NSPCC found that while 10,000 children are returned home from care every year, almost half ultimately return to the system.

The report estimates the annual cost of providing proper support and care for all families and children returning home is only £56m.

Each child that returns to care from home is thought to cost over £61,000, compared to an average cost for supporting a child to return home of around £5,600.

‘If 19% more reunifications in England (900 children nationally) were successful in a year, this would equate to a national breakeven point as a result of the costs avoided from these children no longer needing to re-enter care,’ the report said.

Researchers outlined such a move would require the reunification breakdown rate to fall from 47% to 38%.

However the report added the forecast cost of re-entry to care was ‘likely to be an underestimate because they do not capture the costs associated with looking after children with particularly complex needs that require specialist placements’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner