The number of children in need at 31 March has increased this year, from 389,040 in 2017 to 404,710 in 2018, an increase of 4.0%. The number of episodes of need starting in the year has risen by 1.7% from 400,110 to 406,770, whereas the number of episodes ending in the year fell by 1.3% from 353,860 to 349,130.
For the full statistics, click here. For the Local Government Association's response, click here.
Hundreds of English schools still at risk from crumbling concrete
Hundreds of schools in England are still at risk of collapse from crumbling concrete, according to previously unpublished figures. Official data, which the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Thousands of young people placed in council care more than 20 miles away from home, analysis shows
A third of children in council care in 2023 lived over 20 miles away from their local area, school and family – around 4,600 people in total.
£600m boost for social care next year announced in Budget
Councils’ available spending to grow by an estimated 3.2% in real terms in 2025-26, with authorities also given £250m to test new approaches in children’s
