Increasing numbers of vulnerable children in Darlington with complex needs requiring help and support are putting pressure on council budgets.
Darlington Borough Council has warned that soaring costs for children’s social care services have caused the council to forecast a £10.6 million spend over the next four years.
In 2025, the local authority experienced a 50% increase in contacts from partner agencies and people concerned for a child’s welfare, a 45% increase in referrals and an 11% increase in children in our care since pre-pandemic levels.
The latest warning comes after the council last year reported a growth in children with complex cases and a significant rise in the cost of residential placements.
Nick Wallis, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “An incredible amount of work is ongoing to ensure the right provision is made for children with special educational needs, in a way that is budget-sensitive.
“We are doing everything we can to manage as many children in-house, whether it’s through fostering, our own provision, or by encouraging connected carers. We are also making sure that only the children who need to come into care do so.”
The council is utilising its children’s sufficiency programme to alleviate the rising costs, however, it warned there is a fundamental and nationwide issue regarding the availability and cost of children’s residential placements.
An increased number of required residential and care packages within the Adult Social Care budget will also cost an estimated £3.3 million across the next four years. Budget pressures also include price inflation and reduced incomes.
Cllr Wallis added: “It is an ongoing battle to ensure we hit our budget, which we are doing. We need wider Government support, and we are getting that.”
Councils are legally required to provide a range of services, including education, child and adult social care, waste collection and road maintenance. Yet the majority of budgets are increasingly being spent on providing care and support for children and adults.
Residents face paying higher council tax bills to help fund the rising demands in adult and children’s social care.
A council report adds: “This consequently impacts the funding available for all other council services, in particular discretionary areas which keep our town clean, vibrant and safe.
“Darlington is not alone in facing these pressures; councils across the country are struggling with the same issues, which have been widely reported over the last year, with a significant percentage indicating the inability to balance their books. The Government acknowledges the pressures councils are facing, and fair funding reforms are a step to improving the position.”
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