The benefits cap, which means families can only claim up to £26,000 in benefits regardless of family size, could place extra strain on social workers in rural areas.

The warning comes from Claire Kobel, leader of Haringey Council, who said that those in family support jobs or any other kind of vital social service function, are likely to see a surge in demand as limiting housing benefit drives families to less affluent areas.

Some believe that the councils outside of London are the ones that will see the biggest rise in demand. However, the London Safeguarding Children Board said that support would be given to any councils that experience this.

Another theory is that families will remain in the boroughs they currently live, but will more into cheaper accommodation instead of leaving the areas which they are connected with. Claudia Wood, senior researcher at think-tank Demos, said: "Families will be forced to take council properties which may be too small, or will start renting from unscrupulous private landlords who are prepared to let out safe and unregulated properties. This could have severe consequences for child welfare, with children sharing beds or sleeping on sofas."

The news comes just a month after it was revealed that 70% of social workers say they've been unable to protect a child because their caseloads are so severe.