Record jump in care applications to Cafcass

Last month, the number of care applications received by Cafcass leapt by 34 per cent to 1,258, from August 2015's total of 941, figures out today show.

This is the biggest rise in the figures since 2012, when applications were first collected centrally by Cafcass, and follows consistent growth in care applications over the past two years.  

The previous highest month-on-month rise was the 28 per cent jump between April 2015's figure of 956 and the 1,226 applications made in April this year.

Figures for the first five months of 2016/17 indicate this year is on course to register the highest annual level of applications on record, surpassing 2015/16's tally of 12,781. Between April and August 2016 there have been 6,219 applications, 23 per cent up on the same period last year when 5,059 applications were made.

Last month, Cafcass revealed it is working with the Ministry of Justice to find ways to stem the rise.

This includes highlighting and promoting local areas of good practice in pre-proceedings work to ensure children do not need to be the subject of court proceedings, stronger child protection planning and a greater focus on working with extended family members to look after children.

Anthony Douglas, Cafcass chief executive, said: "There are no signs of demand slowing. The scale of the increase means our discussions with partner agencies to manage this demand are much more urgent."

In Cafcass's annual report, published last month, Douglas said the court service's budget was "manageable" but will still be a "stretch target" give the large increases seen in this financial year.

Cafcass has also suggested that a legal change may be needed to bolster its ability to get involved in pre-proceedings work, as currently its work is focused around cases in court, or about to come to court.

Dave Hill, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said: "There will be many reasons for this increase including a heightened public and professional awareness of child protection issues and that cuts to early help and preventative services in times of austerity have led to the issues children and families face becoming more complex, driving up the need for more serious interventions.

"As demand continues to grow it is vital that demand for children's services is fully understood and fully funded to prevent the system from coming under any further strain, and so that children, young people and their families can thrive."