Hertfordshire councillor expresses concern over rise in children in care
Cllr Richard Roberts warns increased placements may impact care quality and costs
The increasing number of children in care in Hertfordshire and the rising costs associated with their placements have raised concerns among council members, including the leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Richard Roberts.
Data presented at a resources and performance cabinet panel meeting on Tuesday, 25th November, revealed that the number of children in care in the county increased by 47 between May and September this year, from 872 to 919. This marks the highest number of children in care since May 2022.
Rising costs of care
The average cost of a placement for a child in care has also risen by £113 per week over the same period, increasing from £1,851 to £1,964.
Cllr Roberts estimated that the spike in numbers, combined with the rising placement costs, could amount to an additional £5 million in annual expenditure for the council.
During the meeting, he expressed concern, saying: “The number of children coming into care is now quite alarming.” He pointed out that the financial impact of the increase was not explicitly highlighted in the report presented to councillors.
Cllr Roberts warned that the growing number of children requiring care could challenge the council’s ability to deliver high-quality support.
“If too many children need support, the council risks losing control of the type of care that can be provided,” he said, cautioning that costs could “go through the roof” if such a situation arose.
He acknowledged the delicate balance the council faces as corporate parents, ensuring children's safety within their families while managing care services efficiently.
“I have seen when we lose control of the children coming into care – and at that point, the council starts to really struggle,” Cllr Roberts said.
Council's response
The council’s head of corporate finance, Scott Walker, addressed these concerns during the meeting, acknowledging the increasing costs and the difficulties posed by current market conditions.
Walker stated that the issue was one of the biggest risks to the council’s financial budget, noting that it is closely monitored throughout the year.
He highlighted ongoing measures to manage the situation, including the construction of in-house residential properties, expansion of fostering programmes, and initiatives focused on returning children to their families.
Walker also pointed out that the number of children in care had been even higher a couple of years ago. He assured councillors that the council’s financial planning accounted for a steady increase in children and placement costs, though he admitted that the upward trend could trigger “more alarm bells” if it persisted.
“Hopefully we are bringing in enough controls and mitigations...and more scrutiny, so hopefully we will see a plateauing,” Walker said.
The latest figures underscore both the financial and operational challenges facing Hertfordshire County Council as it seeks to manage the welfare of children under its care effectively.