Newton - The Future of Children's Social Care

This report, developed by Newton in partnership with the County Councils Network (CCN), sets out an ambitious vision for transforming children’s social care.

It profiles Newton’s ‘optimised delivery model’, which is designed to improve outcomes for children in care and on the edges of care, reduce demand pressures, and create a more sustainable system.

Drawing on extensive local engagement and national data, the report outlines how supporting families earlier, improving partnership working, and reshaping care provision could significantly reduce the number of children in care and enhance the quality of support they receive.

Key findings from the report include:

• Children in care could be reduced by 33% (to 64,000–77,000). 3,300–4,400 more children could live in family homes.
  ‍
• Without changes to the system, projected expenditure on children in care is set to be £2.1bn higher in 2025 compared to 2020.
  ‍
• Residential placements have risen 27% nationally and 33% for CCN councils.

Recommendations to government include:

• Keep local government central to children’s protection and support.
  ‍
• Ensure consistent, evidence‑based family support on both edges of care. Invest nationally and locally to stabilise and improve the care market.
  ‍
• Enable practitioners to spend more time with children and strengthen impact measurement. Reform inspection and regulation to support innovation.
  ‍
• Provide a fair, long‑term funding settlement for children’s services.