The court advisory service’s latest figures for July to September 2009 show that care applications rocketed by 47 per cent (688 cases) compared with the same period last year.
Cafcass said that in June this year it recorded 784 cases, the highest demand ever recorded for a single month.
One of the main reasons for this recent increase has been the Baby Peter effect. Cafcass said councils are referring more lower level concerns for fear of making a mistake by under-reacting. It warned this is causing a drain on resources that is forcing councils and court advisers to focus funding on children with the highest levels of immediate need and could lead to less funding for long-term, preventative support.
Anthony Douglas, Cafcass chief executive, said: "Financial pressures in many agencies mean that resources are being driven into funding children with the highest levels of need and protection.
"This risks a reduction in the very family support and therapeutic services a much larger group of children and families need to prevent the cycle of neglect recurring."
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