High number of babies taken into care

An abnormally high number of babies are taken into care in Herefordshire, it has emerged.

A public question to Herefordshire Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee today (October 11) drew the response that in the last financial year, 24 children under a year old were taken into care, including 19 within 10 days of birth.

This amounts to a rate of 6.7 per 10,000 children, nearly 50 per cent higher than the average for England of 4.5 in 2020/21, the most recent year for which comparable figures are available.

The figure is also higher than Herefordshire’s “statistical neighbours” – that is, other local authorities with a similar social make-up to Herefordshire.

Among the 10 listed in Herefordshire Council’s answer, the highest was Shropshire, with a rate of 6.5 per 10,000.

The council’s children’s services department was rated “inadequate” across the board in a recent inspection report by government watchdog Ofsted, prompting further government intervention.

In an extraordinary meeting to discuss the report, one Herefordshire mother, Rachel Gallagher, told councillors: “When I was pregnant, I was told to await the outcome of a pre-birth assessment to see what support I needed to keep my baby.

“Social workers had 33 weeks to complete it. But I received that report two days after I was due to give birth, giving me no time to address their concerns. My baby was then removed at birth. Where was the support to keep my family together?”

Coun Diana Toynbee, cabinet member for children’s services,  said: “It’s very upsetting to heart this story and I apologise. This is why we need to change. I trust that our staff are in touch with all families who need support.”