In England, approximately 1,700 children are referred daily to children’s social care services, totaling over 621,000 referrals in the year ending March 2024. This surge underscores the escalating pressures on the system, with over 83,000 children currently in care—a 4.5% increase from 2020 .
The Local Government Association (LGA) attributes the rising demand to factors such as domestic abuse, mental health issues, and poverty. A significant concern is the increasing reliance on high-cost placements; the number of care placements exceeding £10,000 per week has risen sharply, from 120 in 2018/19 to 1,510 in 2022/23 .
To address these challenges, the LGA is advocating for a comprehensive strategy that includes substantial investment in early intervention services and a national recruitment drive for social workers. The aim is to reduce the escalating demand on children’s social care services and ensure timely, effective support for vulnerable children and families .
Without immediate and sustained investment, experts warn that the system may reach a breaking point, compromising the safety and well-being of children across the country.
