The number of care applications made by councils fell by 3% compared with those made in December 2015 – the first time in over two years that there has been a monthly fall. However, the total number of care applications made between April and December 2016 is up 18.2% on the same period last year, indicating that there will be another year-on-year increase for the third consecutive year. Figures from Cafcass (children and family court advisory and support service) show that there were 1,068 care applications in December 2016, compared with 1,103 during December 2015.
Number of care applications decreases but the annual demand still high
