THERE are fears that a Baby P tragedy could happen in Bournemouth as over-stretched social workers struggle with a record number of children on their books.

The number of “looked after children” peaked at 191 in August this year, with 124 currently considered at risk and subject to child protection plans – more than double the number three years ago.

As demand for children’s social care rises, the cash-strapped council is struggling to find foster carers and resorted to recruiting social workers from America to cope with ever-increasing workloads.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader, Cllr Claire Smith, told the Daily Echo: “It’s a potential time-bomb. The more pressure children’s social care is put under, due to staff shortages and stretched budgets, the more chance there is we could have a Baby P tragedy here. But this is one area where we can’t afford to let standards slip. We shouldn’t be complacent and think that because we live in a lovely part of the country a tragedy can’t happen.

The mother-of-three added: “Unfortunately we have children here who aren’t receiving the parental care they should and staff working under incredible pressure. Something will snap. The council is under huge government pressure to maintain the same level of care.”

In a report to the cabinet on October 14, service director Ann Graham will outline continuing budget “pressures” just six months after an additional £2.15 million was allocated to children’s social care.

As the number of children in care continues to rise, 10 in-house foster carers, paid £340 a week, have been lost. Independent foster carers receive £730 a week and residential unit places for “very challenging young people” can cost £5,000 a week.

Since April last year the council has had to pay for legal proceedings for children at risk; costs previously met by the government.

Social care staff have moved to neighbouring councils offering higher salaries and the cost of employing agency staff has put even more pressure on already stretched budgets.

Ms Graham said: “Following the outcome of the Baby Peter case, children’s social care is making greater use of the court process. These pressures, together with the need to continue to develop and increase the workforce, has led to the projection of a significant budget pressure in 2009/10. The latest budget monitoring statements show a budget pressure of £1.851m.”

She added 16 new in-house foster carers had been recruited, “mostly without experience”, and six social workers had been drafted in from the USA.

Jane Portman, executive director of children and family services, said: "There are many challenges facing the service including recruitment of social workers and foster carers. The significant increase in demand for social care services for children has also created severe budget pressures.

"Despite all these challenges our social workers are working very hard to provide the help and support needed by children and families in the town. I would encourage anyone who feels they may be suitable to become a foster carer to get in contact with us.”