Calls for more funding as children's social care reaches ‘breaking point’

COUNCILS and charities have joined forces to call on the Government to stabilise a children’s social care system at “breaking point”.

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Organisations providing support to children said it is vital that additional funding is included in the forthcoming spending review to ensure children and young people are shielded from harm at a time of rising demand and costs.

The latest Government figures show there were 621,880 referrals to children's social care in the year to March 31, 2024 - equivalent to 1,704 a day.

Nearly 400,000 children were classified as being in need of support and protection in the same period, while 50,000 were on child protection plans due to the severity of risk.