Plea for more Government cash for children in care in Sandwell

The call for more funds comes in a bleak warning on the financial future of Sandwell Children's Trust which was bailed out by £5 million in June last year.

The emergency payment came after the number of children in care rocketed from 600 to almost 900 in two years.

Now, in a stark assessment to Sandwell Council this week, finance officers have warned: "If the rate of demand and pressures on children’s social care (experienced nationally and locally) continue to increase at the same or at a higher rate than that experienced during 2017/18, then without a national funding solution and improved children’s social care services, this will have a detrimental impact on the financial resilience of Sandwell Children’s Trust.”

In September last year, Jacqui Smith, chairman of the trust, predicted a £2.3 million overspend by March – as she revealed plans to make £14 million savings in the service over four years.

At the time, it was hoped the number of youngsters being taken into care was levelling out, but the latest forecast suggest it has continued to rise.

In an assessment to members of Sandwell Council's audit and risk assurance committee, council officers state the increase in numbers is a national problem, adding: “The failure to put in place a national solution to this problem is presenting a risk to many councils.

"It is to be hoped that government understands this and takes action as part of the comprehensive spending review.”

But the Government has said it is already making more money available to councils.

Luke Hall MP, local Government minister, speaking this week, said that the latest finance settlement to authorities "delivers significant extra resources to the priority areas of adult and children’s social care: an extra £1 billion of grant across adult and children’s services, plus an additional £500 million from a 2 per cent council tax adult social care precept.”

Councillors were set to discuss the report at their meeting tomorrow.