Child services have exceeded their budget by over £800,000 as a result of providing services across the county to those most in need.

The findings, disclosed in Social Services Annual Performance Report 2014/2015, were presented to the Housing, Health and Care Committee at their latest meeting (4 June) and found a total overspend of £862,000.

Areas such as external fostering (£570,000) and residential schools (£772,000) were among the main culprits blamed for the considerable excess, despite staff vacancies in early years services.

A council spokesperson said: “Our priority is to provide services for those who most need them, in these cases the most vulnerable children in our community. The use of residential schools, secure placements and foster placements are only used after all community options to keep children safe have been exhausted. There is full multi-agency participation in such decisions to keep children safe and these decisions are ratified through the Children’s Hearing.” Despite the overspend, the report also outlined a saving of £568,000 meeting 92 per cent of the council’s cutbacks during that term.