Children’s Social Care Placements Costing Over £10,000 a Week Rise by Over 1,000 Percent in 5 Years

Nearly every council is spending thousands on high-cost emergency placements as the number of children in care continues to rise.

Photo illustration dated January 2020 of a teenage girl showing signs of mental health issues. PA

The number of children’s social care placements costing £10,000-plus a week has risen by over 1,000 percent in five years, a survey has found.

A survey of councils released by the Local Government Association (LGA) on Nov. 29 has found that they are paying out thousands per child owing to a “significant shortfall in suitable homes” in the care system.