THE numbers of children in the care of Blackburn with Darwen Council has stabilised, it has been revealed.

The figures for open cases being dealt with by social services has also levelled off, councillors have been told in a special report.

But the the number of Child Protection Plans put in place by borough officers has risen.

The figures were revealed to council colleagues by borough Children’s Services boss Cllr Maureen Bateson.

She told them: “The number of cases open to Children’s Social Care has stabilised over the past six months to between 1,700 and 1,800, but remains over 200 higher than 18 months ago.

“We continue to cope with the higher level of demand through a contract with an external agency providing an extra social work team.

“The number of children in care is 368 and has remained at this level over the past six months which is 30 higher than the equivalent period 12 months ago.

“The most pronounced rise has been in the number of children subject to Child Protection plans, which stands at

342, an increase of over a third across the past year.

“More than 450 children are being supported by Early Help services, with half of the lead professionals co-ordinating support for children and families being drawn from school staff.”