The number of care applications has risen in October, official statistics reveal.
There were 1,198 care applications made in October, according to Cafcass, up from 1,101 in September.
The figures are also a 4% rise from the October 2016 figure of 1,155 care applications.
There were a record 14,597 care applications made between April 2016 and March 2017. This figure is 14% higher when compared with the previous financial year. So far this year since April, there have been 8,343 applications.
Speaking at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth recently, Cafcass Chief Executive Anthony Douglas encouraged efforts to recruit new social work staff and carers in a bid to cope with the overall increase in applications.
Anthony said: “The care system has to gear up for higher numbers. This needs new investment, new ideas and most of all the next generation of staff and carers to be recruited, motivated and supported.”
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