Councils in the south of England say increasing use of AI is relieving pressure on staff and budgets.
Some young people are being sent to places as far away as rural Scotland and County Durham.
Social work apprentices are being used to tackle staff shortages and ease pressure on the NHS.
The Welsh Local Government Association warns that without long-term investment, essential social care would become harder to sustain.
The On Your Bike scheme combines practical skills with emotional support for young people.
Pay changes have left managers on the same pay bands as those they manage, a union has said.
The children's services have been rated as outstanding overall by Ofsted.
Haringey Council received a safeguarding complaint after 1,100 social work emails were left unread.
The city council is working with the charity Frontline to give graduates intensive practical and academic training over the next three years.
