THE number of children requiring help from social care services in York and North Yorkshire has risen in the last year.

Figures recently released by the Department for Education showed 188 children a day were being placed on child protection plans in England due to abuse or neglect risk, and there had been an overall increase in the number of children subject to a child protection plan.

City of York Council saw an increase of 29 per cent in the number of social care 'episodes' between 2017 and 2018 - from 1,795 to 2,318, an average of six each day - and the number of social care incidents involving children increased by just under 12 per cent - from 1,248 to 1,397, almost four a day.

Maxine Squire, interim corporate director of children, education and communities at City of York Council, said the increase was part of a national trend.

She said: "In common with local authorities nationally, York has seen an increase in demand for services at both a statutory and early help level.

"We continue to work closely with a range of partners to improve outcomes for children and young people and to build resilience with families. Resources are continuing at their current rate with no reduction in funding. The work of the City of York Safeguarding Children Board is nationally-recognised as outstanding."

North Yorkshire County Council saw an increase in 'episodes' of just over 15 per cent - from 4,737 to 5,470, about 15 per day - while the number of social care incidents involving children in need rose by almost 17 per cent - from 2,553 to 2,982, about eight each day.

Stuart Carlton, NYCC’s Director of the Children and Young People’s Service, said the authority's figures were positive in comparison to the national figure.

He said: "North Yorkshire, like most authorities in the country, has seen an increase in referrals to Children’s Social Care Services as families come under increasing pressure. However, this continues to be significantly lower than the national and our statistical neighbour group.

"We are rated outstanding by Ofsted for our high quality service and outstanding practice in support of children and families. To deal with the increase in referrals we have therefore increased our social work workforce and continue to work closely with our partner agencies to ensure we provide effective support at the earliest opportunity."

Almudena Lara, from the NSPCC, said the figures showed how serious the need for appropriate children's social care was.

She said: "These figures are a stark demonstration of the rising demand for children’s social care, which coupled with spending constraints is leaving too many children without the support they desperately need.

"This is placing the system under increasing strain, with more children in need, 188 a day being placed on child protection plans due to abuse or neglect, and thousands of children waiting to be assessed for help. It’s an affront to us as a society if we can’t support our most vulnerable children."