Figures obtained from 87 of the 152 local authorities with responsibility for children's services revealed cuts totalling £305m for the next financial year.
Extrapolated across all top-tier authorities, the figure could rise to at least £533m.
Details provided by local authorities and recorded in council budget papers outline a range of cuts, with children's centres, school transport, and youth services in the firing line as authorities attempt to balance their books.
Of the 87 authorities for which figures were garnered, 72 face cuts, one authority is forecasting no change and 14 reveal budget increases.
Of the respondents, Bolton appeared worst affected with a 22 per cent cut to its children's services department. But Essex revealed it would be increasing its budget by 26 per cent.
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