The cost of children’s social care has soared in the last fourteen years costing councils dearly but at the same time letting down families. Despite a major review under the last Government no action was taken. The new Government’s approach will seek to pre-empt children being taken into care where possible. There will be support for children closer to their families, particularly by getting partners and agencies to work better together. Where children cannot stay with their families, the government will promote kinship care and fostering.

But where children do have to be taken into care then children’s social care will be transformed. At the moment not only is care costly but outcomes are poor. There will be new and better financial oversight of what is essentially a market where profit is being made out of children’s lives. We will also invest in the future workforce and in line with other public services, there will be investment in better data and information systems.

Children in care are amongst the most vulnerable people in or society. And reform of the care system is not just financially crucial but a moral purpose.