The widening north-south care divide in England has sparked urgent calls for action as new data reveals shocking disparities in the number of children in care across the country.
According to a report by Health Equity North, one in every 52 children in Blackpool are in care, compared to one in 140 across England. The north of England has nine in every thousand children in care, compared to six in the rest of the country.
The report highlights the impact of child poverty as a key factor in the disproportionate figures, with the north-east, north-west, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions showing the highest care rates.
The authors of the report estimate that £25 billion of public money could have been saved between 2019 and 2023 if the north had the same care entry rates as the south. The rise in child poverty between 2015 and 2020 led to over 10,000 additional children entering care during that period.
Dr. Davara Bennett, the lead author of the report, emphasized the need for policymakers to address the deeply rooted social inequalities that contribute to the high number of children in care in the north. She highlighted the importance of investing in prevention and addressing child poverty as key strategies to reduce the number of children entering care.
MP Emma Lewell-Buck, co-chair of the child of the north all-party parliamentary group, expressed concern over the immense pressure placed on children’s services in the north due to underinvestment. She called for better support for children and families in need, emphasizing the long-lasting consequences of neglecting these crucial services.
The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for action to address the north-south care divide and ensure that all children in England receive the support and care they deserve.