In 2017/18, councils spent £8.844bn on children's services compared with £8.476bn in 2016/17 - a rise of 4.3 per cent, according to statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The rise in children's social care spending over the past year means that it now accounts for 9.8 per cent of all council spending - up from 9.3 per cent in 2016/17.
While some areas of spending - notably, early help, early years and youth work - have shrunk since 2010, the amount spent on children's social care has risen by £700m over that time (see graphics).
Amid rising demand for the most intensive support and continued pressures for efficiencies and cuts across council budgets, the scrutiny of decision making over what services are provided and by whom has never been higher.
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