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Number of children taken in to care in England hits record high
9 February 2012
Between April 2011 and last month the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) received 8,403 new applications - 12.4% more than the same period last financial year.
If the figures continue to climb at this rate, the number of children coming in to care will reach 10,000 for this financial year.
Anthony Douglas, the Cafcass chief executive, has urged agencies to factor these much larger increases into their planning.
“The profile of children entering the system is unwavering - an unquestionable need for care for the vast majority, and the urgent need to be given their normal childhood back and to be allowed to develop in a loving and supportive family environment."
Matt Dunkley, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, commented on the figures saying that the rise was due to a better understanding of the damaging impact of neglectful parenting, particularly in relation to drug and alcohol abuse and a focus on intervening earlier to try and prevent it.
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