SPECIALIST care for 'at risk' children in the district is at crisis point following the closure of children's homes and a decline in the number of foster carers.

UNISON has raised the alarm following discussions with social workers who fear hundreds of children 'at risk' are being placed inappropriately or not at all because there are no placements available.

Emergency Duty Social workers have reported that, across the county, ten children a week are being identified as 'at risk' but the County Council plans to close seven children's homes this year and a further four homes over the next few years.

The closures will reduce the number of spaces from 180 to 106 and last year there were 20 fewer foster carers.

UNISON regional officer, Tim Ellis said: "The situation in childcare in Lancashire is a growing crisis.

We are calling for a moratorium on children's home closures and more child placements now.

We fear the situation is like a ticking bomb, a tragedy waiting to happen."

UNISON and the Care Leavers Association have written to Lancashire County Council and local MP's to express their concerns.

An urgent meeting with the Council has also been sought.

In a letter sent to Social Services Chief, Chris Cheetham, Tim Ellis said: "UNISON is looking as a matter of urgency for the County Council to address this dangerous situation.

The closure and rundown of homes is occurring in a context where other provision for children through fostering is not yet guaranteed or even approaching being in place.

Indeed, last year UNISON understands the County lost 170 fosterers (120 or so active) and only gained 100.

UNISON also understand that even the emergency use of private agencies (which are not always appropriate and are a very costly option) is practically limited because of the large overspend of the childcare budget.

Over a year many hundreds of children are therefore placed at risk, a fundamental abrogation of the County Council's duty of care to these vulnerable people."

In a statement, Cllr Cheetham countered these claims saying that a move away from children's homes to foster carers was in the best interests of children.

He added: "We take our statutory duty to care for children very seriously, and if they cannot live at home, and there are no internal places in foster care or residential, or other local authorities we purchase from the independent sector.

We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that any at risk child is without a care place.

We would urge any one with any evidence to present it to us so we can take appropriate action.

We have been in discussion with Unison on the proposals and will continue to work with them to ensure all the children in our care continue to receive the most appropriate care."