We produced this report to set out the growing pressures on children’s social care funding in England and to highlight the damaging impact that sustained reductions in core funding have had on early intervention and preventative services. Drawing on funding analysis, spending data and a survey of our member authorities, we show that councils have been forced to prioritise statutory duties at the expense of services that help prevent problems escalating. While this has enabled councils to meet immediate legal responsibilities, it has created a vicious cycle in which lower investment in early help is contributing to rising demand for more costly interventions later on. Key findings include: Total core grant funding for children’s social care fell by over a quarter nationally between 2015/16 and 2019/20, with county authorities facing cuts of almost 40%. At the same time, demand and costs have risen sharply, with estimated spending need for children’s social care increasing by over 20% in five years. Temporary government grants have largely supported adult social care, leaving children’s services without equivalent protection. Councils have responded by shifting spend towards statutory, demand‑led services, while spending on preventative and early intervention services has fallen by around 18%. Most councils believe reductions in early intervention are contributing to higher demand for statutory services. Recommendations to government include: Maker long‑term, sustainable funding available for children’s social care to enable meaningful planning and reform. Funding allocations must be levelled up to address the disproportionate impact on county areas. Create a National Framework for Early Intervention, backed by dedicated investment in social infrastructure. Early intervention funding should be coordinated through a cross‑departmental approach, led by the Department for Education. The Troubled Families Programme should be continued, simplified, and renamed to remove stigma and support inclusion.