Almost a third of council funding spent on children’s social care amid surge in need

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Almost one-third of council funding is being spent on children’s social care, new analysis has revealed; with rising need putting local authorities at risk of filing for bankruptcy. A group of 47 urban local authorities in England, the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities, have warned that some councils are spending close to half their funding on children’s social care services. Nearly 84,000 children are currently looked after by local authorites is at a record high, the latest government data shows Chair of the council’s association Sigoma, Sir Stephen Houghton, said that the rise in spending on children’s services is pushing more councils to the brink of filing for bankruptcy. “These demand-led pressures are leaving councils financially stretched and at breaking point.” Jim Hobson, Blackpool council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Each year we are expected to save tens of millions of pounds without any reduction in the demands on our most significant services, like children’s and adult social care.” Councils across the country have been experiencing an increase in referrals of vulnerable children, The Independent revealed in July.