placing children in care
Richmond Council is addressing a projected £1.4 million overspend in children's services due to rising costs for placing children in care.
Richmond Council's children's services are currently addressing a projected £1.4 million overspend for the financial year, as reported in February 2026. This financial pressure, primarily driven by the rising costs of placing children in care (the process of arranging for children to live in foster or children's homes), was discussed by the Education and Children's Services Committee.
A report to the committee in February 2026 highlighted that while the number of children needing support has not increased, the complexity of their needs has. This has led to a greater reliance on more expensive placement types, contributing to the projected overspend on the General Fund revenue services. No upcoming meetings are currently scheduled on this topic.
Key facts
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