A councillor emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the challenges faced by local care services in the Vale of Glamorgan
Vale of Glamorgan: A councillor is really pushing for the public to see just how tough things are for care services. Cllr Helen Payne wants everyone to understand the pressures the local authority is facing, especially when it comes to caring for children.
During a recent meeting, it was revealed that the council can spend up to £500,000 a year on just one child in care. That’s a huge amount! The report highlighted that councils are struggling to manage the growing number of children needing care, especially those with complex needs.
Karen Conway, who manages placements for the council, pointed out that the aftermath of Covid-19 and the rising cost of living are making things even harder. Cllr Payne suggested that it would be helpful to present a case study of a child’s journey through the care system at a future meeting. This could really shed light on the situation.
She mentioned that it would be interesting for both the scrutiny committee and the public to see the real pressures the council is under and the costs involved in providing care. The number of children in care has jumped from 282 in 2019 to 322 in 2023, and it’s still rising.
As of October 2024, the council reported 363 children in care, with a growing demand for foster placements. Some of these placements can cost the council between £200,000 and £500,000 a year, which is just mind-blowing!
Currently, the council is facing a budget shortfall of £14.8 million for the upcoming year, and they’ve already overspent their budget for external placements by millions. It’s clear that the pressures on the council’s budget are mounting, and they need to find a way to manage it all.
