CYP Now - Trowler: More children considered 'at risk' should stay with families

More children deemed to be at risk of significant harm but not in immediate danger should remain with their families, England's most senior children's social worker has said.

A report by Isabelle Trowler, appointed by government as the first chief social worker for children and families in 2013, argues that cases where the decision to remove a child from their parents could "go either way" should be diverted away from court in order to ease pressure on the care system.

It also calls for government to launch a national programme of work to identify the best ways of supporting families with children on the edge of care, and provide funding to councils that are struggling to keep children safe in the community.

Publication of the report coincides with Chancellor Philip Hammond's announcement that 20 councils will receive a total of £85m over the next five years to help them deal with high or rising numbers of children in care. Children's services leaders have warned that the amount is not enough.

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