Issue

Children's Social Care

24 stories · discussed at 12 council meetings · 19 councils

Councils are grappling with significant financial overspends in children's social care, driven by rising demand and complex cases.

Councils are reporting significant financial pressures in children's social care, leading to projected overspends. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-27 due to placement costs and staffing, as reported in September 2026. Lewisham Council faces a projected £6.5 million General Fund overspend for 2026/27, partly from increased school transport expenses, according to a September 2026 report. Tower Hamlets Council projected an £18.6 million General Fund overspend for 2025-26, driven by increased demand in children's social care and SEND provision, as reported in July 2026.

The complexity of cases within children's social care is increasing, with Richmond upon Thames reporting a 73% surge in statutory complaints in 2025-26, linked to placement-related concerns, according to a September 2026 report. In response, Hackney Council implemented its 'Families First Partnership' programme in May 2026, overhauling children's social care to prioritise early intervention and multi-agency collaboration, as discussed in September 2026. Croydon's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee noted high referral rates to children's social care and a rapid increase in Education, Health and Care Plans in June 2026.

Councils continue to discuss children's social care, with Lambeth's Cabinet and Finance and Budget Scrutiny Committee reviewing financial performance in September 2026. Hackney's Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission discussed the Families First Partnership reforms in September 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham established a new Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee in June 2026 to scrutinise health and care services, including children's issues.

Key facts

  1. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend in children's social care for 2026-27. Source
  2. Lewisham Council projects a £6.5 million General Fund overspend for 2026/27, partly from increased school transport expenses. Source
  3. Richmond upon Thames reported a 73% surge in statutory complaints in children's services in 2025-26. Source
  4. Hackney Council implemented its 'Families First Partnership' programme in May 2026. Source
  5. Tower Hamlets Council projected an £18.6 million General Fund overspend for 2025-26. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 3

  1. Tower Hamlets Council Faces £18.6 Million General Fund Overspend Amidst Rising Social Care and SEND Costs Tower Hamlets Council is facing significant financial pressures, with a projected £18.6 million overspend on its General Fund for the financial year 2025-26. This deficit is... Tower Hamlets 25 March 2026
  2. Tower Hamlets Council Faces £18.6m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care Demand Tower Hamlets Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £18.6 million for the financial year 2025-26, according to a report presented to the Overview & Scrutiny... Tower Hamlets 25 March 2026
  3. Lessons learned from Lewisham's Corporate Strategy 2022-2026 Lewisham Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee has reviewed the delivery of its Corporate Strategy 2022-2026, identifying key lessons learned that will inform the... Lewisham 22 March 2026
  4. Enfield Council Considers £15.4M in Savings Amid Funding Uncertainty Enfield Council is considering £15.4 million in savings amid uncertainty over future funding, as revealed in a recent Cabinet meeting. The proposed savings are part of the... Enfield 14 December 2025
  5. Merton Council Faces Growing Budget Gap: £20M Shortfall by 2029 Merton Council is grappling with a significant budget shortfall, projected to reach £20 million by 2029, according to reports discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee... Merton 30 November 2025
  6. Harrow Council's External Audit Reveals Significant Weaknesses in Schools Grant, PFI Contract, Children's Social Care, and Fraud Governance Harrow Council's external audit for 2024/25 has revealed significant weaknesses in several key areas, including children's social care and governance arrangements. The findings... Harrow 29 November 2025
  7. Richmond Council Faces £3.885 Million Overspend Due to Homelessness and Children's Social Care Costs Richmond Council is facing a projected overspend of £3.885 million, primarily due to rising costs in homelessness and children's social care, according to the Corporate Q2... Richmond upon Thames 22 November 2025
  8. Hillingdon Council Faces £30.2M Budget Overspend Hillingdon Council is facing a significant financial challenge with a projected £30.2 million budget overspend, primarily driven by increasing demand for essential statutory... Hillingdon 28 October 2025