CYP Now - Councils 'spent £136m on children's social care at the height of lockdown'

Councils in England had to spend an additional £136m on children’s social care at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, campaigners have said.

Local authorities must focus on families at risk on reaching crisis point, charities warn. Picture: Adobe Stock

A coalition of charities, including Action for Children, NSPCC and Barnardo’s, say local authorities spent the extra money on children’s social care between March and July.

They say the health crisis has led to a “perfect storm of increased economic and housing insecurity and stress at home” coupled with “reduced oversight from professionals and other adults” as well as “increased time online leaving some young people vulnerable”.

Extra investment is needed to ensure the children’s social care system in England is sustainable and can focus on early help for families most at risk of reaching crisis point, say the charities, which also include the Children’s Society and National Children’s Bureau.

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