Number of children going into care doubles

100% JUMP IN SINGLE YEAR FOR STOCKTON COUNCIL

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local Democracy Reporter

THE number of children going into care in Stockton more than doubled last year, figures show.

A Stockton Council report says 175 children and young people started in the authority's care in 2025, compared to 67 in 2024 and 54 in 2023.

The number of children in care overall rose at a slower rate of 9%, reaching 615 children by the end of March.

Children had "increasingly complex needs that put pressure on families and children", says the report which sets out the achievements and challenges in the children's social care for the council over the past year. A leading officer has revealed the council will open three more children's homes.

Louise Hollick, assistant director for early help, safeguarding and children in care, told councillors they still faced significant challenges, rising costs and financial pressures. She said: "What we are seeing is more older children entering care with significant safeguarding risks, including child exploitation, neurodiversity needs, speech and language needs and trauma.

"We also see higher numbers of babies coming into care due to complexities around domestic abuse, neglect and parental substance misuse."