Care applications doubled over the last four years October 2012 figures show 9% on last October In October 2012, Cafcass received a total of 937 applications. This is a 9% increase on October 2011 levels. For the first seven months of the 2012-2013 period care applications have numbered 6,323. For the same period in 2008-2009 they totalled 3,104. Applications received during all months bar June this financial year have been the highest ever recorded by Cafcass for these individual months. The 982 applications received in both May 2012 and July 2012 were the highest ever recorded for a single month. The figures follow the publication earlier in the week of the House of Commons Education Committee's report calling for the earlier use of care proceedings. For further details of the report, please click here .