The county council has defended the move to place some children in care more than 100 miles away from Bucks.

More than half of looked after children were moved to homes outside Bucks last year – some placed as far away as Devon.

This week Bucks County Council (BCC) issued a statement, stating the needs of children are identified on a “case-by-case basis”, and some are moved out of the county to ensure they receive appropriate care.

The council is also working to recruit more foster carers and open four new children’s homes to ensure there is better provision for young people in care in the county.

Cabinet member for children’s services at BCC, Warren Whyte, said: “It is vital that the county council meets the needs of looked after children with the right kind of care.

"This must be determined on a case-by-case basis and this sometimes means going out of county to ensure the specific needs of individual children are met.

“We have, however, identified a need for greater local provision of care in Buckinghamshire, and the county council is working to recruit more foster carers as part of our three year fostering strategy.

“We are also in the process of opening a new children’s home in the coming weeks and more are planned over the next two years as a result of a £2million investment programme.

“A substantial recruitment process is now underway to enlist more social care workers, which we hope will give greater continuity of care to children in need of social care services.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer visit  www.buckscc.gov.uk/fostering