High numbers of children in care across North East Lincolnshire
The area has the third highest proportion in the country
Last updated 29th Apr 2024
A new report has revealed North East Lincolnshire has the third highest proportion of children in care in the country.
A study by the reach data unit shows 1 in 57 in the area were being looked after last year.
However the numbers are said to be coming down.
The council says it's taking measures to address issues such as trying to recruit more foster carers.
There are now 469 children in care there.
More children have been returned to their families, where safe to do so.
We work hard to ensure that those children in our care have access to the same opportunities as other children.
The decreasing numbers were acknowledged in an Ofsted monitoring report of the council’s children’s services last autumn.
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: “When working with families that need some help, it is always our absolute priority to try to keep children and their families together, in their local communities.
“However it isn’t always possible for children to grow up in the care of their own families, for a variety of reasons.
Where this is the case, we work hard to ensure that those children in our care have access to the same opportunities as other children.
“We also seek to secure permanent safe and loving homes for children in care. Foster carers are a big part of this, and we recently launched a recruitment campaign to encourage more people to think about fostering.
We urge government to hear our calls for action
“Becoming a foster carer is an incredibly rewarding thing to do. You receive support and training, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
To find out more, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering.”
The Health Inequity North report has recommendations, made to a government level.
These include addressing a backlog of cases in the family courts, introducing universal free school meals, and mandatory allowances and paid leave for all carers, including kinship carers.
“There are a number of policies that, if implemented, could help reduce the number of children entering care and improve the care and support children and families receive when in need,” said Dr Davara Bennett, lead author of the report and a School for Public Health Research (SPHR) postdoctoral launching fellow at the University of Liverpool.
A Department for Education spokesperson has said it is committed to helping children and families overcome multiple and complex needs at an early stage
“We urge government to hear our calls for action and commit to addressing them as a priority.”
A Department for Education spokesperson has said it is committed to helping children and families overcome multiple and complex needs at an early stage, so they can stay together and thrive.
“Early intervention is at the core of our ambitious children’s social care reforms,” the spokesperson said, adding there was a £45m investment in pilot areas to shape a future system to provide families with the right support at the right time.
The government is also investing £250m over the next three years to support those leaving care in the likes of access to education, employment and training.
***Many thanks to David Dunbas-Fisher from the Reach data unit who's responsible for the information.