Children in care numbers fall as efforts made to keep young people in county

The number of children in the care of Devon County Council has fallen slightly as the county increases efforts to keep more young people within its borders.

A total of 906 children were in care in the county around a year ago, a figure which has now dropped five per cent to 858.
Nearly two in three children (63 per cent) in care now remain in the county compared to just under half (49 per cent) a year ago.
Stuart Collins, director of children’s services at Devon County Council, said that two new council-run children’s homes had recently started operating and that a third should open this month.
These could give the council around 10 extra bed spaces depending on the needs of the children in them.
While a small number, such provision should mean that fewer children are sent out of the county, into placements that often cost Devon more than keeping them within the county.
The council’s cabinet heard that the construction of another children’s home is due to start imminently.
A report due to go before the council’s children’s scrutiny committee next week (Monday 16 September) says there has been an “increase in the number of children accessing early help and family intervention services”, the aims of which are to prevent children going into care in the first place.
It also notes that the council needs “to improve the sufficiency of placements, foster placements and external provision of placements”.
“Officers were able to highlight the council’s expansion of children’s homes, staying close provision and improving relationships with providers,” the report adds.