It calls for more investment to help children amid record numbers of children in care

The chief executive of Bradford Children and Families Trust has backed calls for more investment to help young people – as national figures revealed a record number of children in care.

According to Bradford Council’s latest budget report, 1,515 children were looked after in Bradford between 2023 and 2024, down from 1,586 in the previous 12 months. Looked after children are those placed in the care of the council.

Last year, the Local Government Association revealed that most councils in the UK have at least one child in foster care costing taxpayers at least £10,000 a week.

Bradford Council has revealed that the average annual cost it pays for an external childcare placement is around £312,000 per child, with the average weekly cost being £6,000.

In England, Department for Education figures show there were 83,840 children in care in March 2023 – up two per cent on 2022 and a record number.

Children’s charities have urged the government to invest in a national campaign to recruit more foster carers and provide enough funding to ensure there are residential care places available for young people who need them.

Charlotte Ramsden, chief executive of Bradford Children and Families Trust (Image: Bradford Council)

Charlotte Ramsden, chief executive of Bradford Children and Families Trust, backed such calls.

She told the Telegraph & Argus: “Along with our partners, we have committed to safely reducing the number of children who need to be in care as part of our three-year improvement plan and to care in family networks or locally when they need it. to be in our care, subject, of course, to a careful assessment of their needs.

“With a strong focus on early help and working with families as part of a restorative practice approach, we are making progress and the number of children needing care has reduced.

“Furthermore, the focus on releasing care orders where children live in family or linked support arrangements and no longer need them has made a difference for some.

“We know there is more to do and the council and trust are coming together to work with children, young people and their families to achieve the best outcomes for Bradford’s children and young people.”

Of the 83,840 children in care in England in March 2023, 17,630 were placed more than 20 miles from their home, according to Department for Education figures.

Paul Carberry, chief executive of Action for Children, said: “So many children being sent away from home is a symptom of a broken children’s social care system.

“Much more needs to be done to increase the capacity to provide safe and stable homes for looked after children.

“Care provision needs to be rebalanced towards the public and voluntary sectors. This will help ensure that children’s needs are better met, including their need to be in their home community close to family, friends, school and services.”

Lynn Perry, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, added: “The number of children in care continues to rise and although the majority live in foster care, many local authorities are struggling to find specialist residential places.”

She added that the moves mean separating children from friends and family and making them feel lonely and isolated.

“The number one priority must be finding the right place for children to live where their needs are met, they receive crucial love and support, are kept safe and have the right help to recover from their past experiences,” she said.

“The government must do more to support children and families.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We want all children to have the chance to reach their potential and grow up in a safe and stable home.

“Our ambitious reforms to children’s care should reduce the need for young people to be moved out of the area, unless it is the right decision to protect them from risks such as violence or exploitation.

“We are investing £400m to support local areas to develop children’s homes so people can be placed closer to home and reduce local government reliance on expensive emergency children’s places.”