THE number of children in care in Notts has nearly doubled over the past four years.

Between 2008 and this year, the number in the care system at Notts County Council rose from 405 to 776 – a 91.6 per cent increase.

Philip Owen, cabinet member for children and young people's services at the council, believes the spike might be temporary.

He said: "Following the widespread coverage of the case of Baby Peter Connelly there was a greater awareness of issues facing children and foster care.

"From that, we have seen a spike in referrals year-on-year, but we have invested in the system and we are coping with this well.

"But I don't foresee this continuing over following years – it has to plateau at some point and I think we have reached that."

The number of children in care has increased across the country and reached its highest level since 2001 last month.

In January, 903 children were taken into care nationally – 14 of those in Notts.

Mr Owen said the county council care system had seen major changes since the last elections in 2009.

"Back in 2009, we had a care system which was largely in crisis, but we have turned this around and are in a situation where children in Nottinghamshire are safe," he said.

"A recent inspection from Ofsted showed that the service is performing better and the capacity for improvement within the service was 'good' – we have made significant steps in a short time.

"We are also continuing to invest in the service to ensure children are safe and they are able to have their needs catered for and moved to foster homes as soon as possible, if that is what is required."

He said the council had decided to invest £25 million in the service, which saw the number of social workers increase to 26 and the creation of a new position of advanced practitioner – or mentor – with the authority employing 11 of these.

The council has also worked on cutting the time children remain in care.

He said: "We have put out appeals for foster families and they have largely been successful, but we are always keen to hear from more families that could adopt so that children can move through the system quicker.

"We also start training people in fostering while their CRB check is taking place, rather than waiting for the results.

"This means if the results come back clear, we can get the process sorted much quicker than if we wait for the check then start training."

To find out more about adoption or fostering, contact Notts County Council on 0845 3012288 for adoption or 0845 3018899 for fostering, or visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk