For August alone, there were 885 applications, the highest figure for any August. March this year saw a record 894 applications. The monthly average to date this year is 814, compared to 754 in 2010, 710 in 2009 and 460 in 2008.
In 2010/11, Cafcass saw a 4.1 per cent increase in care applications, with 9,184 new applications, up from 8,826 in 2009/10. This, in turn, was a 36 per cent increase on 2008/09.
Cafcass chief executive Anthony Douglas said the figures show local authorities are more aware of life-threatening situations involving children. He added that the spike in August shows there is no longer a "quiet time" for care referrals.
Douglas said that since the three weeks after the first Baby Peter serious case review was made public in November 2008, many local authorities have lowered their threshold for making a court application.
With applications likely to remain high, Douglas said: "Much needed longer-term solutions are a matter for all public authorities, as children in care need a range of services, including vital mental health services."
