More families getting help before problems reach crisis point

New figures show growing impact of early support for children and families

More families in Bury are getting the help they need before problems escalate into crisis, according to the latest performance figures presented to Bury Council’s Cabinet.

New data shows fewer children are becoming subject to child protection plans, fewer are entering care and more families are being supported through early intervention and family safeguarding approaches designed to keep children safely within their families wherever possible.

The figures form part of a wider programme of improvement across children's services which has seen the Family Safeguarding model become established across the borough, helping families access support earlier and reducing the need for more intensive interventions later.

The latest performance report shows the number of children entering care continuing to fall, while workforce stability has improved significantly, reducing reliance on agency social workers and helping provide greater consistency for children and families.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“The best outcomes for children are usually achieved when families can access the right support at the right time.

"Behind every statistic is a child, a parent or a family whose lives can be transformed by timely support. By intervening early and providing the right help when it is needed most, we can prevent challenges from becoming crises and create better outcomes for children and families.

"We're seeing encouraging signs that our approach is making a difference, but we remain ambitious and committed to continuing that progress.”

The report highlights the growing impact of family safeguarding, edge-of-care support and wider early help services that focus on building on family strengths and helping people find solutions before situations reach breaking point.

Recent improvements have also contributed to a reduction in residential care placements and helped more children remain connected to their families, schools and communities wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Councillor Walmsley added:

“Early help isn't always visible, but it changes lives. It can mean a family staying together, a child remaining safely at home or a young person getting support before problems become more serious. Those are some of the most important outcomes we can achieve.”

The Cabinet report can be found on the Bury Council meeting agendas and papers here:

Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 8th July, 2026, 6.00 pm - Bury Council