Councils record 81,770 children in care as LGA calls for more funding

The number of children in the care of councils has risen 18% to 81,770 in a decade, according to new Department for Education (DfE) figures published today (21 November), as the Local Government Association (LGA) has called for more funding for children’s services.

This follows separate data showing councils carry out more than 600 child protection investigations each day.

According to the LGA, the latest increase underlined the need for long-term investment in family help, child protection, child in care and care leaver services. 

The organisation, which represents councils, has asked the chancellor to ensure next week’s Budget (26 November) provides sufficient funding to meet this rising demand.

The LGA has previously warned that worsening financial pressures are affecting children’s services. Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, councils overspent on children’s social care by an average of 14.2% each year despite higher planned spending. Budget plans for 2025/26 show a further rise of 10.1%.

Overspending has led many councils to make in-year cuts to other services and draw on reserves to balance their books. The LGA said this approach was increasingly unsustainable as reserves continue to fall.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, chair of the LGA’s children, young people and families committee, said: “Councils want to do everything they can to support children and young people and help them to lead happy lives where they can thrive.

“However, these figures are a reminder of the huge pressures that councils are under to provide this lifeline of support.”

She added: “It is vital the Chancellor in next week’s Budget sets out measures to adequately fund children’s services, ensuring councils have the resources they need so children get the support they deserve.”