THE government has been told to ‘step up’ over social care funding with the ‘bleak’ gap in the children’s services budget expected to reach more than £23 million by the end of the year.

Worrying figures reveal the extent of the financial blackhole in the budget for Worcestershire Children First, which runs children’s services on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, with bosses expecting the ever-growing funding gap to swell by next March.

Tory councillor Nathan Desmond, who represents the Kidderminster St Marys division, described the situation as “bleak” and said the government needed to "step up".

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“You can’t keep dipping [into reserves] year upon year to fund £18 million, £20 million,” he said at the children and families scrutiny meeting at County Hall on September 27.

“At some point, the well is going to run dry. And ultimately, it’s a short-term position, it’s not sustainable in the long term. We’re not dealing with current pressures let alone predicted pressures.

“I think the government needs to step up – especially for top-tier local authorities… the [funding] system needs to change. Where can councils go?”

Worcestershire County Council said the cost of placements for the county’s most vulnerable children and young people is expected to be 18 per cent over budget by the end of the year.

The number of placements has risen by more than 10 per cent compared to a year ago and their cost has also risen significantly – rising by a fifth in less than a year on average – with some now costing more than £20,000 a week.

Inflation has also seen the price of home-to-school transport rocket with the service expected to overspend by around £6 million this year.

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The council’s dedicated schools grant (DSG) reserve, which funds the county’s schools and is made up of money given to the council through a national government formula, is also facing a £28 million gap by the end of 2024 and £37 million hole by 2025.

Green councillor Matthew Jenkins, who represents the St Stephen division in Worcester, said: “You’ve got £37 million [as a predicted gap in the ‘dedicated schools grant’ fund] and a potential £22 million overspend [in the WCF budget]. You add that together it’s a lot of money. Even with some changes in policy, it needs more money.”

“Is it a case of we need more money from the government?” Cllr Jenkins asked.

To which Tina Rusell, chief executive of Worcestershire Children First, said: “Yes. Absolutely. That message is continuing to be out there.”

The chief executive of Worcestershire Children First also said that in light of the worrying hole in the budget, the rising price of placements would not be a factor in decision-making.

 “Cost is not the driver for our decisions,” she said. “Our drivers are about making sure we support families and protect children … regardless of the cost of placements.

But this approach appeared to be at odds with the reality for one Worcestershire parent.

Dawn Style from Bromsgrove said her battle with Worcestershire Children First to get the correct support and care for her daughter meant she could not understand why the service was “not in credit by millions.”

“Where is all the money for all these things they haven’t delivered?” she said.

“All these children who are not being educated, that’s a lot of money they are saving. The fact they are in this situation means there is something very wrong.”

Ms Style is among more than 1,000 parents and carers in the SEND National Crisis Worcestershire campaign group, which represents more than 1,000 parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Earlier this week, the campaign group accused Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Children First of “bald” compliance with staff more interested in meeting deadlines than carrying out important assessments properly.

The chief executive of Worcestershire Children First also said that in light of the worrying hole in the budget, the rising price of placements would not be a factor in decision-making. 

 “Cost is not the driver for our decisions,” she said. “Our drivers are about making sure we support families and protect children … regardless of the cost of placements. 

But this approach appeared to be at odds with the reality for one Worcestershire parent. 

Dawn Style from Bromsgrove said her battle with Worcestershire Children First to get the correct support and care for her daughter meant she could not understand why the service was “not in credit by millions.” 

“Where is all the money for all these things they haven’t delivered?” she said.  

“All these children who are not being educated, that’s a lot of money they are saving. The fact they are in this situation means there is something very wrong.” 

Ms Style is among more than 1,000 parents and carers in the SEND National Crisis Worcestershire campaign group, which represents more than 1,000 parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Earlier this week, the campaign group accused Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Children First of “bald” compliance with staff more interested in meeting deadlines than carrying out important assessments properly.