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

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. In October and November 2023, the LGA sent an online survey to all councils providing children’s social care in England, such as child placements, children’s homes, and foster carers. The highest-cost placement reported was £63,000 a week. For most, the highest cost fell between £9,600 and £32,500 a week....