LONDON: A child is referred to social services every 49 seconds in England and Wales, figures show, prompting urgent calls that a lack of funding is leading to “catastrophe” for the next generation of youngsters and their families.

Data published by the Department for Education (DfE) shows there were 646,120 referrals overall to councils’ children’s services during 2016/17, equating to 1,770 referrals every day — a rise of 4 per cent on the previous year.

Of the referrals assessed, domestic violence aimed at the children or other adults in the household was the most common factor, applying to half of all children in need — a figure that has risen since 2013/14, when it stood at 41 per cent. Mental health was the second most common reason, identified as a factor in 40 per cent of cases.

In light of the figures, council leaders have warned that children’s services — which the Local Government Association (LGA) says face a funding gap of £2bn by 2020 — are dealing with pressures on a “staggering scale,” and urge the government must provide more funding or leave many children “at risk.”

Council leaders said there was a number of reasons for the rise, including increased public awareness and reporting of potential abuse, the impact of poverty and deprivation on families and a lack of funding to help families early on before problems escalate.

A report from the LGA last year found that cuts to early intervention services had led to an “unprecedented surge” in demand for urgent child protection support.

The Independent