‘More children at risk’ from delays to social care reform

DELAYS by the Government in funding and reforming children’s social care has put more youngsters at risk of abuse and murder, warns an alliance of charities.

An independent review of children’s social care published in May 2022 called for an additional £2.6billion to address the crisis.

In February this year, the Government published its own strategy, which committed to adopting most of the review’s recommendations.

But despite being released against a backdrop of increasing concern about the crisis in children’s social care, the timetable has been changed and now most areas will not get the funding needed to support and protect youngsters for at least two years, researchers say.

The analysis, by Alma Economics, was commissioned by Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, the NSPCC and the National Children’s Bureau.

It warns that the delay will cost an extra £1billion over the next 10 years as the number of children needing care increases.

It is forecast that by 2027-28, 10,500 additional youngsters will be in care due to the Government’s delay. The charities say immediate funding for family help services is needed – ranging from youth clubs, to targeted support with issues like drug and alcohol misuse.

These mean families get help early enough to stop problems spiralling out of control, which puts more children in the social care system. Paul Carberry, of Action for Children, said: “Foot-dragging and short-termism could mean the problems and the costs of the system continue to mount up.”