Baby P tragedy leads to rise in care cases

Increasing numbers of children are being sent into care in the West Midlands, caused by the recession and fears of a repeat of the Baby P tragedy.

Social services say more families are breaking up because of a financial crisis following unemployment.

And more children are being taken into care as a precautionary measure following criticism of social workers during the inquiry into the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly, who died in London after suffering more than 50 injuries over eight months.

The rising numbers, revealed in figures released today, are putting councils under pressure financially, forcing them to transfer funds from other departments.

Wolverhampton Council today said it was planning to conduct research into a jump in children taken into care. A total of 456 are currently in care. That compares to 368 in March 2009 and 401 in March last year.

In Dudley the figure currently stands at 623, compared to 543 in 2009 and 612 in 2010. In Walsall, latest figures show there were 462 in 2009 compared to 496 in 2010.

There were also rises in Sandwell, with 561 children in care in December compared to 488 12 months before. In Staffordshire, figures show 740 children were placed in foster care in 2010 compared to 698 in 2009.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and families Councillor Bob Badham said: "We are projecting a £5.6m overspend this year as a direct result of the increasing number of looked after children. As more children enter the care system we need more social workers, more foster carers and more specialist placements."

Councillor Rachel Andrew, cabinet member for children's services at Walsall Council, said the social services budget had risen by more than £1m in a year while in Dudley council bosses are considering earmarking up to an extra £2.9m for social services.