The Children England study, which involved surveys and interviews with around 100 London-based voluntary and community groups, found that 86 per cent had seen an increase in the number of children and families they were supporting.
The finding comes against a backdrop of councils struggling to cope with ongoing reductions in central government grants by focusing spending on acute provision and cutting back on non-statutory work, including early years support and youth services.
Evidence also emerged last month that child protection thresholds were being raised by councils as a result of ongoing financial pressures.
The study found that many voluntary and community sector groups, especially smaller organisations, are struggling to cope with the surge in demand.
Just one in 10 respondents said they were confident they could meet local safeguarding need in light of increases in demand, while around a quarter (26 per cent) thought there had been a dip in the effectiveness of multi-agency responses to safeguarding issues.
Meanwhile, only 38 per cent felt they could challenge bad practice by other agencies.
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