The number of complaints about support for vulnerable children and young people has increased sharply in the first half of 2016.

Figures from the Advice and Complaints Bureau for Youth Care (AKJ) show that it handled nearly 6,500 enquiries over the six-month period, compared to just over 7,400 in the whole of 2015.

Most of the calls were from young people or parents who were unhappy with their care arrangements, felt they were not properly informed or believed they had been poorly treated by their local authority or a care provider. Some enquiries came from people seeking information about legal or procedural issues.

Director Jeanine Timmers said part of the increase was due to greater awareness of the AKJ since local authorities took over responsibility for youth care at the start of last year.