PA
Official figures show that record numbers of children considered 'at risk' are being put into care in what is being dubbed the 'Baby Peter Effect' as social workers intervene more rapidly to prevent child abuse and deaths like that of 17-month-old Peter Connelly in Haringey, North London in 2007.
The figures - published by the children's court advisory service, Cafcass - show there were 894 care applications made in March of this year, the highest monthly total since records began in 2001.
More than 4,000 applications to place children into care were then made between April and August, a rise of 9% on the same period last year.
The chief executive of Cafcass, Anthony Douglas said local authorities were doing the right thing in taking more children into care, saying: 'This data represents children's lives, and the rise in numbers shows a greater awareness of the life-threatening situations some children live in, day-by-day, with no light on their horizon.'
According to The Guardian however, local authorities are becoming concerned about the financial aspects of the rise of children in care, and fear it will become 'financially unsustainable'. The newspaper reports that some councils have gone over budget on child protection this year.
What do you think about this story?
Does it shock you that there is a 'budget' for taking children into care, and that children might be at risk because of budget concerns?