1,700 children referred to children’s social care every day

According to research from the LGA, around 1,700 children are being referred to children’s social care services every day in England.

There were 621,880 referrals to children’s social care in the year ending 31 March 2024.

Last year, 224,520 investigations were carried out to determine whether a child was suffering, or at risk of, significant harm. More than half of assessed children had abuse or neglect identified as their primary need, with factors around domestic abuse and mental health playing a significant role.

The LGA is calling on the Government to ensure all councils receive sufficient funding in the Spending Review to invest in family help, child protection, and child in care and care leaver services.

Cllr Arooj Shah, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Council support for children and young people is central to the delivery of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

“With investment in children’s social care and partner agencies including mental health provision, we can focus on early intervention and preventing children from reaching crisis point, where the level and costs of support are significantly higher.

“The Spending Review is an opportunity for long-term, sustainable funding for children’s social care and the services children and families rely on, that puts the sector on a stable footing and provides the support that enables every child to thrive.”

A spokesperson for the Children’s Charities Coalition - Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, National Children’s Bureau, and the NSPCC - said: “All children have the right to grow up in safe and happy homes. Yet through our services and networks we are hearing directly about a children’s social care system at breaking-point, desperate for investment in order to respond with the right support at the right time when children are at risk or in need.

“Frontline workers carry out vital work supporting vulnerable children and families in progressively challenging circumstances.

“However, with chronic underfunding and councils trapped in a downward financial spiral unable to meet demand, we should not be waiting for children to be in harm’s way before they receive help and we should be giving families the support they deserve."