Children’s social care services in England are receiving an average of 1,700 referrals each day, according to the latest figures released by the Local Government Association (LGA).
In the year ending 31 May 2024, a total of 621,880 children were referred due to concerns about their safety or wellbeing.
These referrals typically come from schools, health services, and police forces, and are made when there is significant concern for a child’s welfare.
During the same period, over 224,000 investigations were launched to assess if children were suffering or at risk of serious harm.
More than half of these cases were primarily related to abuse or neglect, with domestic violence and mental health issues often cited as contributing factors.
The LGA, which represents councils across the country, has warned that children’s social care is facing severe financial strain. Spending on these services has risen by 11% in the past year alone, reaching £14.2 billion.
This increase is largely driven by a growing need for specialist care and the rising cost of residential placements, which are being used more frequently due to the complexity of children’s needs.
Despite this, funding remains insufficient. The LGA is urging the government to use the upcoming 2025–26 Spending Review to provide long-term financial support.
The association stresses that early intervention is essential to avoid more costly and intensive interventions later, which can place even more pressure on overstretched local services.
Recent cuts to essential programmes, such as the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, have further limited support options.
Councils have increasingly been forced to place children far from their homes, separating them from their communities and loved ones, simply due to a lack of local care options.
Leading children’s charities, including Action for Children, Barnardo’s, the NSPCC, and the National Children’s Bureau, have also raised alarm about the current state of the system.
They report a sharp rise in complex cases and growing concerns from frontline workers who are trying to meet rising demand under increasingly difficult circumstances.
These organisations say the system is under severe pressure, with local authorities trapped in a cycle of rising demand and inadequate funding.
Data shows that council spending on early intervention has dropped by over £2 billion since 2010–11. At the same time, spending on residential care has reached record levels.
With referral numbers continuing to climb and cases becoming more complex, there is growing concern that the system may be reaching a breaking point.
Sector leaders are calling for a national, cross-departmental approach that brings together education, health, justice, and social care.
This collaborative strategy would ensure that the underlying issues leading to family breakdown and child endangerment are addressed proactively rather than reactively.
The LGA believes that children’s social care must be a central focus of the government’s future policy and funding decisions.
With the right investment and a coordinated national plan, councils and support services can work together to ensure every child in England has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and supportive environment.
