Dudley Council is spending more than half a million pounds every week on external residential housing for children in care, according to a new financial report. The authority currently supports 76 young people in care placements at an average cost of £6,900 per week per child.
Rising demand and financial pressure
The figure comes from a report by the council's chief finance officer covering the first quarter of the current financial year. The report, signed by Audra Statham, Dudley's interim director of resources, highlights the growing strain on children's services.
"It is becoming increasingly apparent that Dudley is operating within a context of significant and rising demand, with over 71,000 children and young people being supported," Ms Statham said. "This demand is being managed against persistent workforce pressures, high caseloads of over 21 children per social worker, workforce instability, agency dependency (24 percent agency rate) and increasing complexity of need."
Child protection and SEND statistics
The pressure is reflected in rising numbers of children on child protection plans, which increased from 2,147 in March 2026 to 2,335 a year later. The council also has a legal duty to provide for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
As of March 31, 2026, there were 4,481 SEND children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), and more than 600 assessments for care plans were awaiting completion. The statutory time limit for assessments is 20 weeks, but the latest council figures show people are waiting much longer.
In July 2026, there were 592 EHC assessments in progress. Average time scales were four weeks from request until a decision on whether to carry out an assessment, and 36 weeks from request until a plan was issued.
Investment and future plans
Dudley Council plans to invest £5 million over the next two years to improve services. Ms Statham explained: "This funding will be targeted on building capacity in the team to work with the right children to meet their needs focusing on a more effective help and protection approach. The aim is a reduction in the numbers of children becoming looked after. This coupled with a focus on sufficiency and fostering the numbers of children in external residential settings will reduce and address the budget pressures."
The investment aims to address the rising costs and improve outcomes for children in the borough.
