Children in need increase in West Berkshire
The number of children in need in West Berkshire nearly doubled in the last year.
The number has leapt from 536 to 1,040.
There have also been 237 child protection enquiries initiated, up from 158 last year and there are now 164 children in care – an increase of 27.
That figure excludes unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
A report to the council’s executive committee says the authority is supporting more vulnerable young adults into employment.
Nearly three quarters of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are benefiting from employment, education or training in the district, compared to the national figure of 52 per cent.
Council annual targets have already been exceeded for the number of young people involved in work experience and project work opportunities.
Among the young people participating in such activities, some have special educational needs or disabilities.