BLACKBURN with Darwen children’s services boss Cllr Maureen Bateson has joined 19 of her North West council counterparts in signing a letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond warning they need more cash to tackle a ‘growing crisis’.

The cross-party group, which includes Lancashire County Cabinet member of young people Cllr Susie Charles, says there are more than 13,000 ‘looked after children’ in the region, a 20-year high, and the greatest number of youngsters in care of any region in England.

There is a rise of 12 per cent since 2013 and a £45million increase in spending on residential placements this year.

Cllr Bateson said: “This level of need and demand for services from our most vulnerable children and families has never been seen before.

“Family support services have been cut to the bone and the situation is unsustainable and putting vulnerable young people at risk.

“It’s time the Government listened to councils across the region all warning of the same risk with young people’s lives by not acting now.”

Cllr Barry Kushner, lead member for the North West for association of directors of children’s services, said: “There is a growing crisis in children’s social care in the North-West and councils are struggling to cope.”