Progress against a backdrop of challenges for Suffolk's care for vulnerable children

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.