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Suffolk County Council's latest report on its care for vulnerable children reveals successes and ongoing challenges.
Why it matters: Suffolk County Council acts as a "corporate parent" to children in care and care leavers, responsible for their wellbeing and prospects.
By the numbers:
826 children in care (excluding unaccompanied asylum-seeking children) as of March 31, 2024 – down from 872 the previous year
74% of children in care live in family-based settings
81.7% of foster homes provided by Suffolk's in-house service - up from 77.9% last year
Key achievements:
41 children placed for adoption, with only 4 placed out-of-county
No permanent school exclusions of children in care
86% of children received timely annual health checks
Challenges remain:
38% of children aged 4-17 in care show high scores on emotional wellbeing and behavior screenings
31.8% of school-age children in care have an Education Health and Care Plan – up from 27.1% last year
Ongoing pressures on mental health support and shortage of care places for children with complex needs
What's next: The council has set priorities for 2024/25, including:
Targeted recruitment of foster carers, especially for older children and those with complex needs
Implementing an emergency foster bed scheme
Improving educational outcomes for children in care
The bottom line: While progress has been made, the council faces ongoing challenges in meeting the diverse needs of children in care.
The report acknowledges that these services are delivered "against a backdrop of significant national and local pressures across the care system."
These pressures include challenges in mental health support and a shortage of appropriate care places for children with very complex needs.
Further reading: You can view the full report on the Suffolk County Council website.
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