Local Government Authority highlights children social care underfunding
Councils had to overspend by £3 billion over 5 years
The Local Government Authority (LGA) has released analysis on council spending and called for the government to invest in early help and prevention services.
While the LGA acknowledged the government's increase in social funding this year, they highlighted that government funding cuts had led to early intervention services having their budgets cut by councils.
Key points are:
- There are now 52,000 children subject to a child protection plan - an increase of 53% since 2010.
- The number of children in care has increased by 28% in the past decade.
- Average budgets for children's social care rising by more than £600 million a year over the past five years leading to an oerspend of £3.2 billion.
- 8 out of 10 councils spent above £800 million more than intended despite a budget increase of half a nillion pounds.
The full analysis can be found on the LGA website.
24.2.20