Eight in 10 councils forced to overspend on children’s care

The Local Government Association has revealed that more than eight in 10 councils in England responsible for children’s social care overspent in the year to 2019/20.

Soaring demand to help safeguard children and funding pressures meant councils in England had to overspend on children’s social care budgets by £832 million last year, despite councils increasing their budgets by £535 million that year and by £1.1 billion in the past two years.

Additionally, the number of Section 47 enquiries, carried out when councils have reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or at risk of, significant harm has increased in the past decade from 89,300 in 2010 to 201,000 in 2020 - a rise of 125 per cent. The number of children in care in England has increased from 64,470 in 2010 to 80,080 in 2020 – a 24 per cent rise.

Council leaders say that the government must prioritise a child-centred recovery plan and play a leading role in the government-commissioned independent review of the care system, alongside children, families, and partners. The LGA said this must include a long-term sustainable funding solution so councils can protect children at risk of harm.

Councils are also urging government to reinstate the £1.7 billion removed from the Early Intervention Grant since 2010 to help prevent problems escalating in the first place.

Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Councils stand ready to work with government to ensure no child is left behind as we recover from the pandemic. The demand on children’s social care services is unsustainable. Councils have increased their budgets for children’s services by diverting funds from other areas but due to spiralling demand for support they are still overspending and fear this will continue as pent-up demand due to the pandemic becomes clearer.

“Supporting and protecting vulnerable children is one of the most important roles played by councils who want to ensure all children are safe, loved and thrive. It is vital that children’s services are fully funded to give children the right help at the right time, which includes providing the early intervention and prevention support that can stop children and families reaching crisis point in the first place.”