Number of children in care rockets by 25%

There were 776 children in care across Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire and Powys according to the latest figures, including more than 400 who had suffered abuse or neglect.

That is nearly 25 per cent, or 142 more, compared to figures from the previous four years, according to the Audit Commission.

The increase is a mirror of the national picture.

Across the UK there were 68,110 children in care according the figures for 2012/13, including 42,228 who had suffered abuse or neglect, with overall costs calculated at £3.4 billion.

Use of foster care increased by a fifth between 2008/09 and 2012/13, and more than two-thirds of this extra care was provided by foster care agencies.

The numbers have surged in the wake of the inquiry into the death of Baby P in 2007, which demanded more stringent child protection regimes.

In Telford, the number of children in care has increased from 230 in 2008 to 320 now, with 234 of those having suffered abuse or neglect.

Telford & Wrekin Council spent £21.1 million in 2012/13, compared to £16.7 million in 2008/09.

Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for children, said: "The rise in children going into care is a national phenomenon as a result of several high profile child cruelty cases such as Baby P.

"It reflects increased recognition of the issues affecting children's welfare and potential abuse that they can experience.

"Our absolute priority is to keep children safe, but we are constantly reviewing our arrangements to make sure we achieve good value for public money and meet children's needs in the most cost effective way."

Across the Shropshire Council area, there were 240 children in council care at the end of March last year, an increase of 40 compared to the position in March 2009.

But a spokesman for the authority said it was well below the national average.

"The numbers of looked-after children in the Shropshire Council area are going up in line with the national trend," he said.

"However, it is worth noting that we do have a lower proportion of looked-after children than the England average, and a lower proportion than similar councils."

One area which is bucking the trend is in Powys.

The number of children in care has slightly gone up - from 204 in 2008/09 to 216 in 2012/13 - but the local authority is actually spending £400,000 less in the latest figures.

It spent £3.4 million in 2012/13, compared to £3.8 million four years before.

Powys County Council spokesman Lee Evans said: "As a priority, the council has moved away from high cost residential and independent fostering provision to in-house foster carer's provision as the council is better placed to support this in-house provision.

"This change has accounted for the reduction within our budget overspend to accommodate our children in care."