Children’s Commissioner concerned at 50,000 kids living in ‘toxic households’

Around 50,000 vulnerable young children are living in households with a “toxic trio” of domestic abuse, drug or alcohol addiction, and mental health problems, a new report has found.

The Children’s Commissioner for England’s report, published on Wednesday, also said there were more than 160,000 children aged under five living in households with two of these issues.

But the commissioner’s office warns thousands of these vulnerable youngsters could be unknown to social services and cuts to council budgets could create a “dangerous shortfall” in funding for services for high-risk children.

Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield urged the government to inject cash into dwindling children’s services budgets.

She added: “This important research shows hundreds of the most vulnerable young children are at risk of harm.

“As children’s services budgets come under increased pressure, we cannot just cross our fingers and hope for the best. Babies are too vulnerable and deserve better.

“The Government has an opportunity in the budget and next year’s spending review to make sure the funds are in place to ensure that they are properly protected.”

The new report, A Crying Shame, said there are about 15,800 babies considered by local authorities to be vulnerable or highly vulnerable and at risk of harm, but still living at home.

It also found the 50,000 children under five, including 8,300 babies, living in homes with the “toxic trio” were at a “very high risk of severe harm”.

The report said the three “toxic” factors were prevalent in cases of suspected abuse or neglect where children had been seriously harmed or died.

It said that among the 293 Serious Case Reviews published between 2011 and 2014, domestic abuse was present in 54%, parental mental ill health in 53% and parental alcohol or drug misuse in 47%.

The commissioner’s strategy director Alice Miles said: “This analysis suggests there are many thousands of babies living in households carrying very high risks, many of whom may not even be known to social services.

“We know infants are especially vulnerable to being harmed by parental abuse or neglect.

“The country is rightly shocked and outraged when serious case reviews reveal the circumstances in which young children live and sometimes die; however, sadly these are the tip of the iceberg.”

Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said councils’ abilities to support families were under threat because of financial pressures.

She added: “These worrying figures underline the huge number of children and families in need of help and support, and emphasises the colossal challenge facing councils and their partners as they try to address growing levels of need with rapidly diminishing resources.

“We are absolutely clear that unless new funding is found in the Autumn Budget, then these vital services, which keep children safe from harm and the worst abuses of society, will reach a tipping point.”

A Government spokeswoman said it was vital children affected by mental health, alcoholism and domestic abuse receive the care and support they need.

She added: “We are working to tackle these issues through our landmark Domestic Abuse Bill to better protect and support victims, as well as reviewing the outcomes for children in need.

“We are also investing up to £270 million in children’s social care programmes to improve the lives of vulnerable children, we have pledged £8 million to support children who are exposed to domestic abuse and £500,000 to expand helplines for children of alcoholics.”

Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Labour’s Shadow Children’s Minister, said: “This is heart breaking news and yet another sign that the most vulnerable children in our country desperately need more support. Children’s services are vital to help struggling families, yet Tory cuts are making it impossible for councils to deliver them to the best possible standard.

“That leaves too many babies and young children unnecessarily at risk. The next Labour government will provide sustainable funding for councils and invest an extra £500 million in Sure Start as part of a major expansion of early years support.”

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