Number of children in care in Dudley rises by 21pc

It is believed families put under pressure due to money worries in the recession has had an impact on the number of youngsters being taken into care.

Dudley Council is looking after 740 children – up from about 480 in 2010.

More youngsters are also being referred to social services after high-profile neglect cases such as the Baby P tragedy in 2007.

The council is now looking to take on eight additional staff to work with parents whose children have been taken into care.

These would provide an in-house "supervised contact" service, which is currently provided by an outside agency.

They will help families to meet together and work through issues in "family-friendly" surroundings.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children's services, said: "It will always be a last resort to put people into care." However, people should understand that for some, this was their first real chance to live a life with pleasure in it and the love and care shown by staff was greatly appreciated.

"We currently look after 740 children – a figure which has increased by 21 per cent in the past three years.

"Like many other local authorities across the country the current economic climate is placing pressure on families and the impact of high profile child protection cases is also raising awareness amongst professionals of the potential risks within families.

"The increased number of looked after children places pressure on both budgets and access to suitable placements but we will continue to work hard to provide support and care for families in most need."

Neighbouring areas have also experienced an increase in the number of children taken into care.

More than 600 youngsters are now in the care of Wolverhampton City Council – up 50 per cent compared with three years ago.

Bosses say that one of the reasons for the increase is the high-profile neglect case of toddler Ryan Lovell-Hancox, who died in Bradley, Bilston, in 2008.