CARE workers in York are well placed to support vulnerable children, despite rising demand placing huge strains on resources, it has been claimed.

According to an independent expert, City of York Council has good systems in place to ensure vulnerable young people get the support they need.

Professor Henry Giller, an independent consultant, spoke to councillors this week about changes in the number of children in care, both in York and nationwide.

He told the council’s learning and culture overview and scrutiny committee that the number of children going into local authority care had risen steadily in the past 18 months.

Much of the rise was among under-fives whose parents were involved in drug and alcohol abuse and adolescents with difficult home circumstances.

Carol Runciman, the council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, attended the meeting.

She said: “Professor Giller said that City of York Council is already in a strong position as a number of professionals work together with the family to create a ‘team’ around the child.”

She said the council had been successful in maintaining balance in families, with the help of children’s centres.

“In York putting children into care is a last resort and, although more families are coming to the attention of social workers, early intervention could sometimes prevent problems getting too overwhelming,” she said. She said care quality was of “paramount importance.

“Professor Giller’s work has put the issues in York in a national context and shows that we are on the right path to effective working in this difficult area.”

The number of children in council care rose from 157 in 2006/7 to 224 this year.