Local authorities have seen an increase in the number of looked after children coming through the system. Clare Connell and Lilya Tata of Connell Consulting delve deeper.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been widespread, causing social and economic upheaval, and placing increased pressure on children’s services that were already facing considerable strain. The number of looked after children (LAC) has increased at over twice the rate of the total children’s population in England in the past five years and, while the number of LAC entering care remains relatively stable, the number of LAC leaving care is decreasing.