A recent study has highlighted a concerning trend where a third of vulnerable children in the social care system are being placed far from their homes, schools, and support networks. The research revealed that 32% of looked-after children were living in accommodation more than 20 miles away from their communities in 2023, affecting approximately 4,600 young individuals. This represents an 18% increase since 2019, indicating a growing issue within the care system.
The County Councils Network’s (CCN) released the findings at their annual conference, shedding light on the challenges faced by local authorities in providing suitable placements for children in care. The report outlined the struggles caused by a high demand for local accommodation surpassing the available supply, leading to many children being placed in settings far from their homes. Additionally, the limited capacity for foster care has resulted in an increase in the number of young people living in children’s homes and supported accommodation, almost doubling over the years.
The rising costs associated with accommodating vulnerable children have put a significant strain on council finances, with resources being predominantly allocated to emergency responses rather than preventive measures. Despite the escalating expenditure, the study noted that educational and employment outcomes for children entering care have not shown significant improvements. This has been attributed to a lack of suitable alternatives to children’s residential homes and existing inefficiencies in the care market.
The research underscored the challenges posed by the current care system, with many children being placed in inappropriate care settings that do not meet their specific needs. The limited availability of placements and the dominance of large private providers in the care market have driven up the average cost of providing care for a child to £300,000 per year. If the current trajectory continues, the report projected a substantial increase in spending on supporting children in care, nearly doubling from £6.6 billion in 2023-24 to £12 billion by the end of the decade.
In response to the study’s findings, the government announced additional funding for social care in the Budget, including provisions for testing new approaches in children’s services. The Treasury’s commitment to reforming children’s social care aims to promote early interventions to support children in staying with their families whenever possible and address the underlying issues in the care market. Roger Gough, the CCN children’s services spokesperson, highlighted the urgent need for reforms to prevent a further escalation of costs and ensure better outcomes for young people.
The report’s co-author, Dominic Luscombe from Impower Consulting, emphasised the critical need for fundamental changes to address the complexities within the care system and curb the escalating costs of care. The study serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable children in the social care system and the need for immediate action to improve the quality of care provided to them. As the government faces calls for urgent reforms, stakeholders in the sector are hopeful that concerted efforts will lead to better outcomes for children in care.