A RECORD number of children in Bolton are being referred to social services — placing “significant demands” on the town’s social care system.

There were more than 4,700 referrals to children’s social care last year — a 10 per cent increase on the year before.

Town hall chiefs say the rate of referral is now 40 per cent higher than the country’s average and 17 per cent higher than the regional average.

They added that there has also been a “marked increase” in the rate of “section 47 referrals” — where a child is suffering or likely to suffer “significant harm”.

Bolton Council says it is now working to find out the reasons for the increase in the number of children subject to child protection plans.

But a spokesman said the rise could be down to an increase in awareness of child safety.

In a council report, officers said: “Clearly, the increase in the rate of referral and in the number of children subject to child protection plans is placing significant demands on the social care system within the borough.

“The department in collaboration with Bolton Safeguarding Children Board is currently undertaking a piece of work to analyse the reasons behind the increase in the number of children subject to child protection plans.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “In general, people’s awareness has risen which can often result in more cases being referred to us, and these can cover a wide range of situations and circumstances. We are still in the process of exploring the number of children on child protection plans.

“Our social workers and other professionals in Bolton continue to be vigilant and work effectively together to ensure that children are safeguarded.”

The figures show that there are currently 542 children in care, more than the England average and slightly above the average for the North West.

But officers say that the number of looked after children has remained relatively stable over the last three years at between 500 and 550 children.

The majority taken into care are aged under one. The council said this showed that it was intervening “early and appropriately” in children’s lives.

In the report officers added: “The council takes its responsibilities as a corporate parent very seriously and this is reflected in the high priority given to improving the outcomes of children who need to be take into care.”

They also pointed to the higher than average results achieved by children care at GCSE level.